'File FIR or face contempt': Madras HC asks police to register case against Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy

Ponmudy created a controversy recently with his Shaivism-Vaishnavism remarks made in the context of a sex worker at a public meeting, drawing widespread criticism, including from his own party MP Kanimozhi.

Chennai: In an embarrassment to the DMK government, the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu police to file a case against Forest Minister K Ponmudy for his controversial remarks against Saivites, Vaishnavites, and women or else face contempt of court.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh questioned the police on why no action was taken against the minister for his comments made at an event last week which led to a major row. In his speech at an event on April 6, Ponmudy made disparaging remarks against women and compared Hindu Shaivite and Vaishnavite religious symbols to sexual positions.

Following his remarks, Ponmudy was sacked as deputy general secretary of the DMK by Chief Minister M K Stalin but he continues to remain as the Forest Minister.

Making oral observations, Justice Venkatesh asked Advocate General P S Raman whether a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Ponmudy for his remarks. The judge made the remarks during a hearing on a suo motu revision case against Ponmudy relating to a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

In the evening, the judge asked Raman, “where is the FIR? Can this court assume that an FIR has been registered.” The AG responded saying the police have received five complaints and that they will investigate and register an FIR.

"If they don't register FIR, I will initiate suo motu contempt. Now, the court has taken cognizance of the matter. Even If they do not have a complaint, register a case and proceed with the investigation," the judge said in his oral observations.

Justice Venkatesh also said as a minister, Ponmudy should not have made such remarks. “In the future, nobody should do it,” he said, while posting the case to April 23.

Ponmudy, one of the senior most ministers of the DMK government, is known for making controversial statements. He was in the news a couple of years back for mocking women who avail the free bus scheme.

Ponmudy, a close aide of Stalin, is a professor-turned politician and is one of the five deputy general secretaries of the DMK. He is also placed sixth in the pecking order of the Cabinet headed by Stalin.