The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court (HC) on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail (AB) petition filed by popular South Indian actress Kasthuri Shankar, apprehending arrest in the case relating to her alleged derogatory remarks against Telugu community in Tamil Nadu.
Justice N.Anand Venkatesh dismissed her anticipatory bail to the actress, after reserving his orders
two days back.
The Thirunagar police in Madurai had registered a case against Kasthuri for alleged offences under section 196(1)(a), 197(1)(c), 296(b), 352, and 353(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint from the members of Tamil Nadu Naidu Mahajana Sangam.
The Sangam in a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Madurai city on November 5, alleged that the remarks made by Kasthuri against the Telugu speaking community and women were demeaning and disturbs the social fabric of the State. Her comments amounted to dividing the community in Tamil Nadu, stoking racial hatred and causing concern to people of the Naidu community.
Apprehending arrest in the case, the actress moved the Madras HC Bench seeking AB.
In her petition, Kasthuri said she had already issued a public apology and that her comments were specific to certain individuals and not directed at the broader Telugu community. The cases were
filed against her due to political pressure.
She further stated that no riot or provocation had happened among any members of the society over her comments and she had been receiving support from the different quarters of the Telugu people across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Earlier, when her AB petition came up for hearing on Tuesday last, the court remarked that her comments were unwarranted and she should have refrained from speaking against the women of the Telugu community. Her apology does not address the comments made against the Telugu speaking women, the court said.
It may be recalled that the actress while speaking at a meeting organised by the Brahmin community in Chennai, stated that Telugu people, who had come to serve the courtesans of the Tamil Kings in ancient times were now claiming to be of Tamil race, triggering a row.
Irked over her comments, cases were registered against the actress by the police at Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Chennai by the members of Tamil Nadu Naidu Mahajana Sangam.
The actress was reportedly absconding and switched off her mobile phone, after legal notices were sent to her.
