The Madras High Court asked Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police to respond within two weeks to a public interest petition seeking uniform safeguards for police action over political speeches, satire and social media posts.
What the petition asks police to check
Advocate H. Syed Alim asked for a standing order or circular for police stations and cybercrime units. The petition argued that officers should examine whether a complaint is legally maintainable and whether the complainant is entitled to bring it before registering a case or taking coercive action. It relied on constitutional protections for equality, freedom of expression and personal liberty.
Tamil Nadu says a procedure is being drafted
The State told Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that work on a standard operating procedure had begun. The bench asked for a detailed response outlining the issues the State was considering.
Case: H. Syed Alim v. The Director General of Police, W.P. No. 44784 of 2026.