Ponraj is seeking anticipatory bail in two cases booked for defamatory speech against women’s wing members of TVK
The petitioner told the court that he is a renowned scientist, public policy consultant and social visionary with 35 years of experience in aerospace technology, information systems and youth empowerment. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
Political commentator V. Ponraj has filed two anticipatory bail applications in the Madras High Court, fearing arrest by the Chennai and Cuddalore police in cases registered against him for his alleged derogatory speech against women who admire Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and support his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.
The petition is likely to be heard by Justice R. Sakthivel on Thursday (May 21, 2026). The petitioner told the court that he is a renowned scientist, public policy consultant and social visionary with 35 years of experience in aerospace technology, information systems and youth empowerment.
During the tenure of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, he served as Director (Technology Interface) in the President’s Secretariat and subsequently as Advisor to Mr. Kalam on Science and Technology and Public Policy from 2007 to 2015. He has recently been involved in political commentary.
The petitioner stated that he was interviewed by a YouTube channel in March 2026 and was asked questions regarding the behavior of some members of TVK’s women’s wing who are undermining family values and social morality. Thereafter, the petitioner criticized the specific actions of these individuals and not women in general.
This led to Mr. Vijay himself meeting the Director General of Police to file a complaint. Subsequently, the Chennai Cyber Crime Wing as well as the Cuddalore New Town Police registered individual First Information Reports (FIRs) under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other special laws.
Although the petitioner filed a counter-complaint against Mr. Vijay and his other party leaders, including Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan, Loyola Mani and Nanjil Sampath, based on the hundreds of life threats he received from TVK supporters, the police did not decide to register any FIR on his complaint, as claimed by Mr. Ponraj.
Claiming that the allegations leveled against him in the two FIRs are completely false, fabricated and politically motivated, the petitioner said the very registration of the two cases was a clear case of misuse of political power to silence legitimate political criticism.
“The petitioner claims to be a leading scientist of national repute with an unblemished service record, including service in the President’s Secretariat under late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. His arrest would cause serious and irreparable damage to his dignity, reputation and professional standing,” the petition said.
It also stated, “He (appellant) has deep roots in Chennai and is not a flight risk. There is no reasonable apprehension that he will tamper with evidence or interfere with the investigation. He is fully willing to cooperate with any lawful investigation.”
Published – 20 May 2026 23:32 IST