The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday granted an interim injunction on the lower court proceedings initiated against actor and politician S.Ve. Shekher.
Justice D. Krishnakumar stayed the proceedings and dispensed with his appearance before the judicial magistrate-I, Tirunelveli, and adjourned the case.
Mr. Shekher, in his petition, said that a complaint filed against him by A.L. Gopalsamy of the Nellaipathirikaiyalar Mandram was pending before the judicial magistrate-I Tirunelveli.
The case was filed under Sections 499 (Defamation) and 500 (Punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code for sharing a derogatory post defaming women journalists on Facebook.
Mr. Shekher claimed that he had the habit of sharing views through social media with discipline and decorum and without defaming or insulting individuals or targeting any group. Similarly, he said that he used to forward messages through social media with the bonafide intention of bringing public awareness on various subjects, irrespective of whether he agreed with the opinion or view.
He said that once he realised that the nature of his Facebook post was abusive, he immediately removed it and tendered an apology for sharing it.
He added that he did not endorse the content of the post.
Mr. Shekher sought a stay on the proceedings before the lower court and to dispense with his appearance before the court.