Madras High Court grants bail to DMK councillor over remarks against Chief Minister

The Madras High Court has granted anticipatory bail to D Sudha, a DMK councillor for Ward 95 of the Greater Chennai Corporation, who was accused of making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay during a party function on October 7.

Justice N Ramesh observed that political speech, even when hostile or intemperate, is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The court noted that the office of the Chief Minister is not so fragile that a ward councillor's harsh speech could shake it, adding that arresting individuals for such remarks could diminish the State itself.

During the proceedings, Sudha submitted an affidavit apologizing to the Chief Minister and pledged to exercise restraint in the future. She argued that her speech was directed at the leader of a rival political party rather than any specific community and did not intend to incite violence. The prosecution had argued that the speech constituted abuse of the highest elected official and was intended to provoke rival political cadres.