CHENNAI: A city magistrate has recalled a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against DMK leader and former minister K Ponmudi in a hate speech case after he appeared before the court.Ponmudi appeared before the III Metropolitan Magistrate Court, George Town, on Friday and filed a petition seeking recall of the NBW issued on August 6.Judicial magistrate C Sundarapandian, after perusing the matter, ordered recall of the warrant and adjourned the hate speech case to August 13 for hearing.The hate speech case relates to Ponmudi’s alleged derogatory remarks against Saivaites, Vaishnavites and women.After Ponmudi allegedly made the remarks last year at an event, BJP Chennai Corporation councillor Uma Anandan lodged a private complaint, following which the GT-III Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court took cognisance of it.On August 6, Ponmudi’s counsel filed a petition under Section 355 of the BNSS, which allows a judge or magistrate to hold an inquiry or trial in the absence of the accused, seeking to condone his absence.The petition was strongly opposed by the complainant’s counsel in view of the accused’s “continuous non-appearance”.Citing several factors, the court dismissed the petition filed by Ponmudi’s counsel.The court said the absence of the accused would hinder the proceedings.It also noted that the petition filed by Ponmudi’s counsel under Section 355 of the BNSS was not supported by any medical records.The HC had directed the lower court to expeditiously complete the trial, and the complainant had also raised an objection.In view of these factors, the magistrate court dismissed the petition, ordered the issuance of an NBW and posted the matter for hearing on September 2, 2026.(With inputs from PTI)
