A case was filed against AR Murugadoss by the Chennai police on Sunday. He was charged under three IPC sections, mainly for instigating violence against the State.
According to a report in The New Indian Express, the FIR was registered based on a complaint by Devarajan on November 8. In the complaint, Devarajan alleged that Murugadoss’ Sarkar promoted enmity towards the government and instigated violence.
Reports say that the FIR against Murugadoss was filed under IPC sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), Section 505 (1) (b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public to induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility) and Section 505 (1) (c) (hall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both).
Devarajan had lodged a complaint earlier too, and the director had moved the Madras High Court seeking protection from the case. The court ordered the police not to arrest Murugadoss. But in its interim order on November 29, the court allowed police to inquire into the complaint, and register a case if a cognisable offence was made out.
Murugadoss was also asked by the court to issue an unconditional apology for criticising the welfare schemes of the government in the film. The State Prosecutor asked Murugadoss for a written undertaking stating that he will not criticise the State government’s policies in his films. The prosecutor also asked for an unconditional apology from Murugadoss.
Murugadoss refused to apologize, saying it was his freedom of expression.
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Sarkar had scenes showing people throw and burn grinders, mixies, and television sets, items that were given as freebies by the Government. This was a reference to the ruling party, AIADMK’s flagship scheme through which they distributed household items to the people of Tamil Nadu, following their electoral victory in 2011.
It proved to be controversial, and members of AIADMK targeted theatres screening the film. Posters of the film were torn by party supporters, who asked for removal of the scenes from the film. After frantic negotiations, the scenes were removed. But later a case was filed against Murugadoss.