The Madras High Court today dismissed a contempt petition filed against Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu by a film financier.
A division bench comprising justices R Sudhakar and P N Prakash dismissed the petition filed by Mukanchand Bothra as not maintainable.
Bothra submitted that Vairamuthu in his speech at a function here on September 12 last year had "raised doubts about the faith, integrity and purity of judges among the public, especially about judges who are on the verge of retirement", and sought to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the lyricist.
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The bench, in its order, said it "has not taken suo motu proceedings and in the absence of consent of the Advocate General, which is a condition precedent for entertaining such a petition as had been held by the Supreme Court in a catena of judgements, we have no hesitation in holding that the contempt petition is not maintainable."
It also quoted an apex court observation in a judgement that "the dignity of the ocean lies not in its fury capable of causing destruction, but in its vast expanse and depth with enormous tolerance."
The bench took note of Vairamuthu's apology.
In its order, the bench said, "The respondent has clearly stated that he has absolute respect for the judiciary and an apology has also been tendered by him for the unintended hurt that his words may have caused, which shows that he has no disrespect for the institution as such he holds the institution in high respect. The said apology is also taken on record.
