In a decisive move to protect judicial dignity, the Madras High Court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, ordered an immediate halt to the release and circulation of a book containing what it called "highly derogatory and abusive" references to sitting judge Justice G R Swaminathan. The court also initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against the book's publisher.
Court's Stern Order and Police Action
A bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and comprising Justice Arul Murugan directed the police to seize all copies of the publication. The judges mandated the authorities to ensure no such "scandalous publications" see the light of day. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on January 28, 2026.
The court's intervention came on an urgent writ petition filed by an individual named P Naveenprasad. The petitioner alerted the court that a book, slated for launch at the Chennai Book Fair on January 8, featured a title, caricature, and pictorial representation that directly and offensively targeted Justice Swaminathan. The title page was already being shared on social media platforms.
Content Deemed Contemptuous and Abusive
After examining the submitted materials, the bench concluded that the content crossed all boundaries of fair criticism. "On the face of it, the proposed release of the book... is highly derogatory and abusive and crosses all limits and needs to be dealt with stern hands by the Court," the bench stated.
The judges emphasized that the pictorial representation explicitly identified "the face and name of a sitting Judge of this court." They found it prima facie contemptuous, as it tended to scandalize the court and could erode public confidence in the judiciary.
Legal Arguments and Publisher Details
Advocate B Jagannath, representing the petitioner, argued that the book's content ventured into abuse and scandalization. The state, represented by Additional Solicitor General Ar L Sundaresan and Additional Government Pleader E Vijay Anand, strongly supported this view, labeling the book as "derogatory, abusive and highly contemptuous."
The controversial book was to be released by Keezhaikaatru Publishers from stall number 173 at the Chennai Book Fair. The court's order now prevents any publication, release, or circulation of the material in physical or digital form.
Compliance and Next Steps
The police have been instructed to take "immediate and effective action," which includes the seizure of the publication and any related promotional material from electronic media. The state authorities must submit a compliance report detailing the steps taken to enforce the court's order by the next date of hearing.
This case highlights the judiciary's low tolerance for personal attacks on judges that move beyond legitimate critique into the realm of contempt, aiming to safeguard the institution's authority and public trust.
