Badri Seshadri Granted Bail After Arrest Over His Alleged Remarks On Manipur Violence Against CJI Chandrachud

A Court in Tamil Nadu has granted bail to prominent Political Commentator and Publisher, Badri Seshadri, who was arrested on Saturday after an FIR was lodged against him for his remarks on Manipur violence against Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud in a YouTube interview.

The Court of Judicial Magistrate Court, Kunnam dismissed the application of the Tamil Nadu Police for custody of Badri Seshadri and granted bail to him. The FIR was registered in the Kunnam Police Station in Perambalur District under Sections 153, 153 A (1) (a) and 505 (1) (b) of the IPC and Badri was arrested at around 5 am on July 29.

Advocate M Ramamoorthi and others appeared for Badri Seshadri. The APP appearing for the State conceded during the hearing that notice under Section 41A was not served before arresting Badri Seshadri. Bail was granted on the condition that Badri must not leave the limits of Sri Rangam area and must appear before the Judicial Magistrate Court at Sri Rangam until further orders.

In an interview published on YouTube Badri, reportedly said, “Yesterday, the Supreme Court like a big…. I don’t know what word to say. ‘If you can’t do it (contain the violence), we will get down and do it.’ We should give a gun in the hand of Chandrachud (Chief Justice of India) and ask him to go there and do what he can to restore peace. Simply, talking anything without relation. Can you (judiciary) enter into the realm of governance? What fault did you find in what is being done [by the government] there [to restore normalcy]? Two groups are fighting. It is a hilly terrain. A complex land. In that, a few murders will happen. Why did they fight? Could we have prevented the reason for the two groups fighting? It can’t be done easily”.

Advocate Kaviyarasu, the complainant in the case had told the media that "Criticizing the Supreme Court's stand on the matter, Badri reportedly asked if a gun could be placed in CJI’s hands and he will be able to ensure peace. He also tarnishes the dignity of the Supreme Court and the country's judiciary".

The 58 year old Badri Seshadri is the founder of the leading publishing house in Tamil Nadu, Kizhakku Pathippagam.