Court notice to former Minister Ponmudy

The George Town Magistrate Court in Chennai has issued a notice to former Minister K. Ponmudy, directing him to respond by October 30 in connection with a private complaint filed by BJP Councillor Uma Anandan.

In her complaint, Ms. Anandan alleged that during an event held in Chennai in April, Mr. Ponmudy made controversial remarks about Saivism, Vaishnavism, and women. The complaint, filed before the Saidapet Magistrate Court and later transferred to the George Town Magistrate Court, sought punishment for Mr. Ponmudy for promoting enmity between religions and hurting religious sentiments through hate speech.

The court took cognisance of the case under Sections 196(1)(a) (Promoting enmity between different groups by words), 299 (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), and 302 (Uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and posted the matter to October 30 for further hearing.