New Delhi: The Madras High Court Friday issued notice on a public interest litigation seeking an inquiry into the nationality and background of journalist and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das, and directions to block his social media accounts over alleged remarks against the judiciary.
A division bench of Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan sought responses from Das, the Union government and other respondents. The court listed the matter for hearing after six weeks.
The petition, filed by Ganesh Kumar of Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district, is titled Ganesh Kumar v. Regional Passport Officer. Kumar has sought an investigation into Das’s identity and background, including details concerning his parents. The plea also alleges that Das made derogatory statements about the judiciary and judges of the Supreme Court on public platforms.
The petitioner has asked the authorities to cancel Das’s passport and Aadhaar card if an inquiry establishes that he is a foreign national. The plea also seeks directions to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block his X and Instagram accounts, and to restrain him from making further allegedly derogatory remarks about the judiciary.
During the hearing, advocate B. Jagannath, appearing for Kumar, told the bench that a complaint had been made to the authorities but no action had followed. He also referred to documents annexed to the petition concerning Das’s identity and addresses. The bench examined the documents and sought a clarification on the particulars.
The advocate said “the manner in which he speaks about the judiciary… this is not the way to speak”. “I had given a complaint to the authorities, but no action has been taken. So I’m filing this petition,” he added.
The petition has also asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and other authorities to investigate the background and personal details of Das. The regional passport officer has been included in the respondents’ list because the petitioner is seeking action relating to Das’s passport.
The claims about Das’s nationality and comments remain allegations in the petition, and any action sought against his documents or social media accounts would depend on further proceedings.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
Also Read: What is kalandra, the term in focus after detention of Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das from Jantar Mantar