HC pulls up activist over speeches, grants pre-arrest bail

The Madras High Court Thursday pulled up pro-Tamil activist Thirumurugan Gandhi, who is facing a slew of cases over his remarks against the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government on various issues, while granting conditional anticipatory bail to him and others.

Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan, passing orders on the petitions by Gandhi, founder of the May 17 Movement, and others said they shall not make such speeches in public meetings.

He also directed them to appear before a city police station for two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation.

According to the prosecution, the speeches by Gandhi and others at various public meetings on issues such as Cauvery river water sharing, Pulwama attack and Sterlite protests attracted charges, including under IPC sections 153A (1)(a) and 505.

The judge in his order said, "... it is seen from the speeches of the petitioners it is not appreciable one. Though the petitioners have right to freedom of speech under the Constitution, their speech is a condemnable one, there should be certain limitations."
Referring to section 153 of the IPC, he said, "It is seen from the allegations that the petitioner in all the petitions have spoken in the protest meeting against the state government of Tamil Nadu as well as the Union government of India."