New Delhi: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has voiced strong concern over what he called a politically motivated attempt to target a sitting judge, warning that such actions could undermine the independence of India’s judiciary.

Vembu’s intervention comes in the wake of the DMK submitting a notice with 120 signatures to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking impeachment proceedings against Madras High Court Judge G.R. Swaminathan. The notice alleges that Justice Swaminathan’s conduct raised questions about judicial impartiality and transparency, accusing him of favoring a senior advocate and lawyers from a particular community, and suggesting that some verdicts were influenced by political ideology rather than constitutional principles.

Speaking publicly after the notice was filed, Vembu tweeted, “Targeting Justice G R Swaminathan because a court judgment he issued was unfavorable is a blatant attempt to intimidate judges. We must defeat this.”

Background: Tirupparankundram Deepam row

The controversy centres on the annual Karthigai Deepam festival at the Thirupparankundram hills in Madurai, where both the Subramanya Swamy temple and a Sikkandar Badhusah Dargah are located. Traditionally, a lamp (Deepam) is lit atop an ancient stone pillar called Deepathoon, at the lower peak of the hill. In recent years, this ritual had not been properly carried out, prompting local devotees to approach the Madras High Court.

Petitioner Rama Ravikumar filed a plea asking the court to direct the temple management to allow him and ten others to light the lamp at Deepathoon under CISF protection. On December 1, 2025, Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench issued an order directing the temple authorities to facilitate the lighting of the Deepam. The judge emphasised that performing the ritual at Deepathoon would restore temple rights while ensuring that the nearby Dargah or the Muslim community would not be affected.

Despite the order, the lamp was not lit at Deepathoon on December 3, though the usual lighting at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple took place. This led to protests by Hindu Munnani activists and tense confrontations with police, who were enforcing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (formerly Section 144 CrPC). The petitioner subsequently filed a contempt petition against the temple authorities for non-compliance.

Meanwhile, the temple executive officer, Madurai District Collector, and police commissioner appealed against Justice Swaminathan’s order before the division bench of the Madurai High Court. During the hearing, the bench warned parties not to make degrading comments against the judiciary and emphasised that any attempt to demoralise the institution would not be tolerated, highlighting the court’s role in protecting judicial authority. The division bench has scheduled to hear all appeals together on December 12, 2025 and has barred new parties from joining the case.