The Madras High Court today directed a man facing a contempt proceedings to buy and distribute copies of Tamil treatise "Thirukkural' to students of two schools in his locality.
Justice S Vaidyanathan was hearing a petition filed by de facto complainant - Ekambaram, alleging fraud by D Muthu alias Nelson Muthu, while seeking anticipatory bail in a murder case.
The Judge said, "Though the accused has attempted to take the court for a ride for which serious punishment could be imposed, taking note of the judgements of the Apex Court, I direct Muthu to buy and distribute "Thirukkural" with short meanings in Tamil, to 50 school students in his locality within one month from the date the order copy is made ready."
The case was that the accused (Muthu) had sought anticipatory bail on August 19, 2015 a second time when the first petition filed by him was pending. Only after obtaining anticipatory bail in the second petition did he choose to withdraw the first petition, the Judge said.
When this came to the knowledge of Ekambaram, he initiated contempt proceedings, alleging that the accused had played a fraud upon the court.
The judge said on account of the "erroneous and wrong" statement made by the accused, the counsel were also made respondents to the contempt proceedings suo motu.
Justice Vaidyanathan said the court could have remanded him in prison, and if no punishment was imposed, it would give a wrong signal to the public that any person could take the court for a ride.
"In order to give him an opportunity to correct himself, while holding him guilty for committing contempt of court, (the court) directs Muthu to buy and distribute copies of Thirukkural," the judge said.
He then posted the matter for compliance to April 26.
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