The SC stated, You cannot be touchy in politics, during L Murugan’s plea against a defamation proceeding linked to a 2020 press conference.

SC: “You Cannot Be Touchy in Politics”

The SC observed that one cannot be “touchy” in politics while hearing a plea from Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan. The plea was related to a criminal defamation case filed against him. Murugan had approached the apex court last year, contesting a September 5, 2023, Madras High Court ruling, which had denied his request to dismiss the defamation proceedings. The case stems from a complaint lodged by Chennai-based Murasoli Trust, accusing Murugan of making defamatory remarks during a press conference in December 2020.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear L Murugan’s petition on September 27 last year, and in doing so, it stayed the defamation proceedings pending against him in a special court in Chennai. The apex court also requested a response from the Murasoli Trust regarding his challenge to the Madras High Court order.

When the case was brought before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan on Friday, Murugan’s counsel questioned, “Where is the defamation in this case?” In response, the lawyer representing the Trust requested an adjournment. The bench, while commenting, remarked, “You cannot be touchy in politics.”

The high court had noted in its order that according to the Trust, Murugan made the statements “with an ulterior motive to degrade and tarnish the reputation of the Murasoli Trust in the eyes of the general public”.

“While dealing with the quash petition, this court cannot go into the merits of the case or the disputed questions of fact. This court has to merely go by what is alleged in the complaint and prima facie find out as to whether the offence is made out,” the high court had said.

“In an offence of defamation, the statements have to be tested only from the point of view of a common prudent man, who comes across the defamatory statements made,” it had said.

While dismissing the petition, the high court had directed the trial court to dispose of the case within three months.

“It is left open to the petitioner (Murugan) to raise all the grounds before the trial court and the same will be considered on its own merits and in accordance with law,” it had said.

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