Retired Pondicherry University professor fined for defamatory remarks against CWC chairperson

The Additional District Court has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on a retired professor of Pondicherry University for posting indecent and defamatory comments against former Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee Vidyaa Ramkumar. 

Advocate Praveen Kumar, who appeared for the victim said, the accused Arokiyanathan was first sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the Puducherry Chief Judicial Magistrate in 2022 besides being imposed a fine of ₹2,000. 

As the accused decided to file an appeal, the Additional District Court modified the sentence to one-day imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh. Failure to pay the fine would result in his imprisonment for two months. Additionally, ₹50,000 from the fine amount was directed to be given as compensation to the victim under section 357 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, he said.