[icernet] 14 publications face contempt proceedings

[Arul Selvan]

  For the first time in the history of the judiciary since Independence, 
the Karnataka High Court today suo motu initiated criminal contempt of 
court proceedings against 56 persons from 14 newspapers and magazines, 
who have reported on the alleged Mysore episode involving judicial 
officers, on the premise that the "reports have scandalised the image of 
the judiciary''.

A Full Bench, comprising Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice H.L. Dattu and 
Justice V.G. Sabhahit, ordered issuance of emergent notices to the 
respondents, asking them to show cause why contempt of court proceedings 
should not be initiated against them under the Contempt of Courts Act, 
1971, and why they should not be punished for the same. The court posted 
the case to January 8, 2003 for further hearing.

The respondents included the editors, printers, reporters, and 
publishers of 14 publications. Among them are The Times of India, The 
New Indian Express, Kannada Prabha, Deccan Herald, The Hindu, Prajavani, 
Vijaya Karnataka, Udayavani, Lankesh Patrike, Agni, Nota, The Week, and 
Outlook.

The Bench said: "We are prima facie satisfied that the publications 
referred to in the note put up by the Registrar General constitute 
contempt of this court, and call for suo motu action against these 
respondents for the same.'' It observed: "While we do not consider it 
necessary at this stage to express any opinion on the merits of the 
case, we hope and trust that the Press shall, in view of the pendency of 
these proceedings, act with greater restraint and responsibility.''

Source:
http://hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/12/06/stories/2002120604380600.htm