Chennai, Apr 17 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu police to file a case against state Forest Minister K Ponmudy, following his recent controversial remarks and warned of contempt if they failed to do so.

The judge, Justice N Anand Venkatesh, made the observations orally.

Ponmudy created a controversy recently with his Shaivism-Vaishnavism remarks made in the context of a sex worker at a public meeting, drawing widespread criticism, including from his own party MP Kanimozhi.

On Thursday, the Court cautioned the police that if they do not register the FIR against the DMK leader, it will initiate suo motu (on its own) contempt against them.

When the suo motu revision case against Ponmudy relating to a disproportionate wealth case came up for hearing, Justice Anand Venkatesh expressed concern over the remarks made by the DMK leader.

Earlier in the day, the judge asked the Advocate General to get instructions from DGP as to whether any FIR was registered against Ponmudy and posted the case to this evening.

When the case was taken up for hearing in the evening, the judge asked AG “where is the FIR”. Can this court take that FIR has been registered.

Advocate general P S Raman submitted that the police have received five complaints and that they will investigate and register FIR.

The judge said, “If they don’t register FIR, I will initiate suo motu contempt”.

“Now, the court has taken cognizance of the matter. Even If they do not have a complaint, register a case and proceed with the investigation,” the judge added.

The judge said the damaging video was continuing. “We do not know when it will flare up”. There was no escape from this.

The police need not register multiple FIRs and one FIR was enough, the judge added.

The court said holding that position, Ponmudy should not have made such remarks. In the future, nobody should do it, he said.

The judge posted to April 23, further hearing of the suo motu proceedings.

Following the controversy, DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin had removed Ponmudy as the party’s deputy general secretary, even as the senior leader later tendered an apology for his “inappropriate remarks.” PTI CORR SA