Direct T.N. DGP to frame guidelines regarding registration of criminal cases for social media posts, political criticism and online speech, insists a PIL plea before Madras High Court

CHENNAI A public interest litigation petition has been filed before the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Director General of Police/Head of Police Force (DGP/HoPF) to frame uniform guidelines to be followed by the police personnel across the State while dealing with complaints regarding social media posts, political criticism, satire and online speech. The First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G.

Arul Murugan is expected to hear the plea filed by Chennai-based advocate H. Syed Alim.

The petitioner had sought a direction to the DGP/HoPF to frame the guidelines on the basis of a representation made by him on August 20, 2026 and circulate them to all the police divisions and wings. He said, the need for the case had arisen because of increasing number of criminal cases booked against political commentators, activists and social media users for criticism, satire, political opinion and democratic dissent expressed through online platforms.