Tamil Actor-Politician Slammed by Supreme Court Over Social Media Attacks
Tamil Actor-Politician Rebuked by Supreme Court for Social Media Posts Criticizing Journalist
Here's the lowdown on the latest news! The Supreme Court has given Tamil actor-turned-politician, S V Shekher, a piece of its mind. On April 25, a bench led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh reprimanded Shekher for conducting a vile, unapologetic campaign against a woman journalist on social media[1][2][3][4][5].
The court granted Shekher interim relief by standing back on the demand for his immediate surrender, but expressed its dismay at his lack of remorse. The bench mentioned his actions were a deliberate attempt to attack the journalist’s dignity using defamatory posts[2][3][5].
Despite Shekher's lawyer's argument that the actor forwarded and deleted the offensive message swiftly after realizing its content, the court pointed out that the Madras High Court had previously stated that Shekher only issued a formal apology, not a genuine one[3][5].
Controversy ignited on social media back in 2018 when Shekher shared a post containing derogatory remarks against the female journalist. A formal complaint from a journalist association led to legal proceedings under various IPC sections and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act[5].
Back in February 2024, a special court convicted Shekher, sentencing him to a month in prison and a fine. The Madras High Court affirmed this conviction but held off on enforcing the sentence for 90 days to give Shekher an opportunity to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court[5].
The bench also hinted that Shekher's misconduct might not be limited to this incident, suggesting that he may have engaged in similar behavior towards other women. However, it seems the journalist association only recently brought the situation to the forefront[3][5].
All in all, the Supreme Court's ruling makes it crystal clear that Shekher's social media behavior was unacceptable. The court demonstrated their stance on the accountability for online defamation, especially in cases involving the harassment of women journalists[1][2][3][4][5].
- The scandal surrounding Tamil actor-politician S V Shekher's social media behavior has reached the Indian Supreme Court, with Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh addressing a recent series of vile attacks on a woman journalist.
- Despite Shekher's attempts to defend his actions, the court confirmed that his online conduct was indeed harassing and a deliberate attack on the journalist’s dignity.
- In 2018, controversy erupted when Shekher shared a derogatory post about the female journalist on social media, leading to legal proceedings under Indian Penal Code sections and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
- Controversy was rekindled in February 2024 when a special court found Shekher guilty and sentenced him to a month in prison and a fine, a decision the Madras High Court later affirmed but put on hold for 90 days to allow Shekher to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
- As the case progressed, it was revealed that Shekher's misconduct might extend beyond this incident, with the court hinting that he may have engaged in similar behavior towards other women.
- The ruling by the Supreme Court sets a precedent for accountability in online defamation, particularly cases involving the harassment of women journalists, highlighting the need for increased responsibility in the use of social media by celebrities and public figures in India.
