The Madras High Court recently granted anticipatory bail to YouTuber and Naam Tamilar Katchi member Sattai Durai Murugan, who was booked by Trichy police after his supporters posted hateful comments on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) against a local police officer.
Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madurai bench granted bail to Murugan, noting that he had not made any of the objectionable comments himself; rather, it was his followers who had posted the offensive and obscene remarks.
While granting bail, Justice Chakravarthy emphasized that “virtual warriors” should reflect on whether a response is necessary before posting anything on social media. He also cited the classic Tamil poem Aranericharam to illustrate how hateful comments on social media can cause significant emotional harm to the victims.
The judge stated, “These words are like alighting fire in one’s heart and mind and can cause grave harm in the minds of the victim. Sadly, these persons do not seem to know that it is a public place/platform, and there they stand exposing their illiteracy, depraved and corrupt minds, and verbal violence. The said poem also gives a way to deal with such harm. It says one has to douse this fire with wisdom. In the context of these virtual warriors, I believe that before responding, it is better to ask oneself, ‘Is the response necessary?'”
Murugan was booked after a local police officer, who had criticized a minister’s comments on X, began receiving hateful and threatening responses, primarily from Murugan’s supporters. Some of these comments included threats and the use of offensive language, while others went further by circulating images of the officer’s wife, including morphed pictures.
The police registered cases against several individuals, including Murugan, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act).
Justice Chakravarthy also took note of the posts targeting the officer’s wife, which were sexually explicit and objectified women. He condemned this behavior, stating that such “misogynistic depravity” reflects the “core goondaism” prevalent in society, leading to crimes against women.
Despite these observations, the Court allowed Durai Murugan’s petition and granted him protection from arrest.
Advocates K Swami Durai and M Dinesh Hari Sudarsan represented Durai Murugan, while Additional Advocate General Veerakathiravan and Additional Public Prosecutor RM Anbunithi appeared on behalf of the Trichy police.
