Charges and Legal Provisions
According to court proceedings, Krishnamurthy was charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions related to obscene remarks (Section 294(b)), intentional insult (Section 504) and promoting ill-will (Section 505(2)).
Apart from Governor Ravi, the case also referenced remarks made against AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, former minister D. Jayakumar, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai, and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar.
Krishnamurthy was arrested in 2023 and later released on bail. The trial continued over the past two years before the court pronounced its verdict.
What Triggered the Controversy
The remarks were made in 2023 after Governor Ravi skipped portions of a government-approved speech during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session. During a public meeting, Krishnamurthy used abusive language and made threatening statements directed at the Governor.
A video of the speech went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism across political parties. Leaders from different parties, including members of the DMK, publicly distanced themselves from the remarks.
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Party Action
Following the controversy, the DMK had suspended Krishnamurthy from the party. However, he was later reinducted and continued to participate in public events.
Court Proceedings
During the sentencing hearing, the court sought Krishnamurthy’s response on the quantum of punishment. He reportedly requested leniency and sought the minimum possible sentence.
The court, however, awarded three years of imprisonment along with a ₹20,000 fine.
Political Reactions
Reacting to the verdict, senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticised the DMK and said the remarks reflected poorly on political discourse. She alleged that the language used was highly objectionable.
What Next
Krishnamurthy is expected to challenge the conviction in a higher court. Further developments will depend on the outcome of any appeal.
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(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)
