The Madras High Court has permitted a petitioner to issue private notice by way of courier/speed post or telegram to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his alleged remarks against Hindus.
According to petitioner B R Gouthaman of Mylapore, Karunanidhi said at a public meeting, largely attended by Christians and Muslims, that ‘Hindus’ meant ‘thieves’. This remark was published in all newspapers on October 24, 2002. Contending that the remark had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus, the petitioner lodged complaints with the Mambalam police and City Police Commissioner, the next day. Later on, Karunanidhi issued an advertisement in a Tamil evening newspaper on October 28, which quoted a book ‘Hindi Vishwa Kosh’ to justify his earlier remark, Petitioner filed another complaint alleging that the clarification was a wrong quote. As there was no action, he filed a criminal original petition and the HC on November 17, 2005, directed the Mambalam police to register a case if any prima facie offence was made out or to dispose of the complaint in accordance with law. Following, this, the Mambalam police registered an FIR on January 6, 2006.
However, no action was taken against Karunanidhi as he came to power in May, 2006. Hence, the present petition to hold investigation on the FIR registered in January, 2006. When the matter came up before Justice N Kirubakaran on Friday, public prosecutor took notice for the CoP and Mambalam police inspector.