Plea in Madras High Court challenges constitution of Fact Check Unit by T.N. government

A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court, challenging the constitution of a Fact Checking Unit by the Tamil Nadu government, alleging that it is ab attack on the freedom of speech, and an attempt to curb the voice of Opposition parties. To get today’s top stories from the State in your inbox, subscribe to our Tamil Nadu Today newsletter R. Nirmal Kumar, joint secretary of the AIADMK‘s State information technology wing, has filed the PIL petition contending that the government had no authority to constitute an FCU, outside the framework of the police department, to impose unsanctioned censorship upon free speech. The direction was issued specifically to the police department while dealing with a bail petition filed by A. Maruthachalam, 59, a resident of Coimbatore, who was arrested by the police for having reportedly posted a video containing defamatory allegations against a sitting judge of the Madras High Court as well as an advocate. Wondering how the Tamil Nadu government could constitute a FCU, outside the framework of the police department, the petitioner also accused the government of having appointed a DMK supporter, Iyan Karthikeyan, as its Mission Director.