The Madras High Court has slapped a Rs. 1 crore fine on the YouTube channel Karuppar Kootam for making defamatory and blasphemous remarks against Sewa Bharti, a prominent social service organisation. The court’s verdict marks a pivotal moment in curbing anti-Hindu narratives and unfounded accusations perpetuated by certain online platforms.
The defamation suit was filed by Rabu Manohar, the President of Sewa Bharti, following highly defamatory remarks made by Karuppar Kootam in connection with the alleged custodial murder case in Sathankulam. Sewa Bharti sought not only a ban on the news aired by the YouTube channel but also demanded compensation of Rs. 1 crore for the damage caused to its reputation.
The case, filed in 2020, originated from false allegations made by Karuppar Kootam, linking Sewa Bharati to the custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Benix in Sathankulam. The accusations created outrage in Tamil Nadu, and Sewa Bharati moved swiftly to address the malicious campaign against its image. The court, recognising the defamatory nature of the accusations, accepted Sewa Bharti’s claims and imposed a substantial fine on the YouTube channel.
Sewa Bharti, known for its impartial disaster relief efforts and emergency response initiatives, vehemently denied any involvement in the Sathankulam incident. The organisation emphasised that the false accusations lacked specifics about individuals or locations, highlighting the baseless nature of the allegations.
In the petition filed with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kilpauk Zone, Chennai, Sewa Bharti called for legal action against Karuppar Kootam. The complaint urged the police to register a case under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Furthermore, Sewa Bharti sought the ban of the YouTube channel and the removal of the videos spreading misinformation.
In the petition, Sewa Bharti expressed its inability to tolerate the extensive goodwill and reputation it has garnered over the years, citing a malicious video posted by the defendant in the first week of July 2020.
The video, broadcast under the banner of Karuppar Desam, contained completely false and baseless allegations linking Sewa Bharti to the unfortunate incident in Sathankulam, where two individuals reportedly died due to torture while in police custody. According to the petition, the defendant falsely claimed that Sewa Bharti was connected with the Friends of Police and insinuated its involvement in the alleged murders, further asserting that no arrests had been made to date.
Sewa Bharti emphasised that the defendant’s malafide intention was to tarnish its reputation, falsely suggesting that the Friends of Police had been leased out to Sewa Bharti, with all its members appointed by the organisation. The YouTube video also propagated the unfounded claim that the two individuals were deliberately murdered because they were Christians, with the prominent involvement of Sewa Bharti.
The right way to teach #Hindu_haters a lesson. Enough of Defamation – spit and run.
Madras H Orders @karuppar_kootam to Pay ₹1 Crore Compensation To @Sevabharathi_TN Over False Accusations In Sathankulam Custodial Death Case – https://t.co/gMParcEwIQ— Ratan Sharda 🇮🇳 रतन शारदा (@RatanSharda55) March 8, 2024
Social media activitists , Ethirajan Srinivasand and Saravana Prasad Balasubramanian hailed the HC verdict
சாத்தான்குளம் வழக்கில் சேவா பாரதி மீது அவதூறு பரப்பிய கருப்பர் கூட்டம், சேவா பாரதிக்கு ஒரு கோடி ரூபாய் நஷ்ட ஈடு வழங்க நீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பளித்துள்ளது.@Sevabharathi_TN @sevabharathitn pic.twitter.com/UkjCWjH7Ev
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) March 6, 2024
Madras HC orders Karuppar Koottam YouTube channel to pay 1 Cr compensation to Seva Bharti as damages.
Earlier Seva Bharti filed a defamation suit against the Channel for maligning Seva Bharti’s image by falsely implicating the org in Sathankulam custodial death case. pic.twitter.com/sdP6i68HB6
— Ethirajan Srinivasan 🇮🇳🚩 (@Ethirajans) March 8, 2024
On June 19, 2020, P. Jeyaraj and J. Beniks were detained by Tamil Nadu Police for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations. The subsequent investigation revealed no breach of lockdown rules. Shockingly, the father and son reportedly suffered sexual assault and torture while in police custody, leading to their tragic deaths. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with political parties blaming the then AIADMK government.
Justice Satish Kumar took cognizance of the case and directed an investigation, highlighting the severity of the allegations against the police. The court also issued a notice to Karappar Kootam, a YouTube channel, instructing them to respond to the allegations made by Sewa Bharti.
However, the channel failed to cooperate, prompting Justice Satish Kumar to order Karuppar Kootam to pay Rs. 1 crore as compensation to Sewa Bharti. Additionally, the court directed the YouTube channel to refrain from discussing or reporting on Sewa Bharti in any manner.
In a statement, Manohar emphasized that Sewa Bharti seeks Rs. 1 crore in damages and a permanent injunction to prevent Karuppar Kootam from making defamatory remarks in the future. He expressed concern over the recurring targeting of Hindu organizations like RSS and Sewa Bharti, alleging portrayals of them as anti-minorities. Manohar clarified that Sewa Bharti believes in uplifting minorities and rejects any form of appeasement. He warned that legal action, including civil and criminal defamation cases, would be taken against anyone tarnishing the image of RSS or Sewa Bharti.
In a separate incident, Surendran, associated with Karuppar Kootam, faced legal repercussions for making derogatory remarks against Lord Murugan in an episode titled “Aabasa Puranam Series — Kandha Sashti Kavacham —Kathakalatchebam.” The comments were deemed obscene and offensive, leading to widespread outrage and protests on social media. Surendran was arrested in Puducherry, where he was hiding, and charges under the Goondas Act were imposed. Following public requests, the YouTube channel was blocked, and the Central Crime Branch has succeeded in removing over 500 videos from public view.
Sewa Bharti’s legal victory sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for defamatory actions against religious organizations and underscores the importance of maintaining respect in public discourse
