Deepam row | Supreme Court seeks response from state on plea seeking action over stir against HC judge

The plea alleged that "caste and religion-based defamatory remarks" were made with the intention of disturbing social harmony and provoking law and order and communal unrest. The top court directed the state government to file a status report in the matter and fixed the matter for hearing on February 2.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Tamil Nadu government on a plea for action on protestors who allegedly made caste and religion-based defamatory remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan of Madras High Court after his order allowing the lighting of 'Karthigai Deepam' oil lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B Varale also sought a reply from the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu and Chennai Commissioner of Police, and others.

The top court directed the state government to file a status report in the matter and fixed the matter for hearing on February 2, 2026.

The court's order came on petition filed by advocate and BJP leader G S Mani, who sought the intervention of the Supreme Court to restore law and order, protect the dignity of the judiciary, and reinforce public confidence in the justice delivery system.

The plea sought directions to the Tamil Nadu government and police authorities to initiate strict legal action, including criminal proceedings, against those responsible for such acts.

The plea alleged that ruling DMK-supported parties, including communist parties, along with certain individuals and lawyers, conducted illegal protests not only in public places but also within the premises of the Madras High Court at Chennai and Madurai, making highly contemptuous remarks against Justice Swaminathan.

The petitioner contended that despite the subsistence of the order passed by Justice Swaminathan, the Tamil Nadu Government failed to implement it and instead permitted protests at various places, thereby creating law and order issues.

The plea alleged that "caste and religion-based defamatory remarks" were made with the intention of disturbing social harmony and provoking law and order and communal unrest.

On December 1, 2025, Justice Swaminathan allowed writ petitions that sought a direction for appropriate arrangements to light the Karthigai Deepam at the 'Dheepathoon', a stone lamp pillar located on the Thiruparankundram hillock close to a dargah.

The Tamil Nadu Government filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the division bench of the Madras High Court, Madurai Bench.