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Publishing opinions on Ayodhya issue a contempt of court: HC

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has warned the media not to publish opinions of various parties and their counsel in the Ayodhya dispute.

The special full bench, hearing the Ayodhya title suits, passed the order on Wednesday and directed that a copy of it be sent to the editors of all the newspapers, the Press Trust of India and all the electronic channels.

The court restrained 'the press from publishing any article with regard to the merit of the case or on the evidence, which the parties may produce in the court'.

"We have come to know that the TV channels are taking interviews of the counsel of the parties or other persons with regard to the matter, which is pending in the court," the bench said in its order.

"Television interviews, at a time when the matter is still pending in the court, may affect the minds of the public and it also undermines the judicial authority and thwarts the majesty of the court while the court has yet to take decision in the matter." It further observed that 'this will amount to interference in the administration of justice'.

The court recalled the reporting done by various newspapers of the views of some of the parties and their counsels on the order passed on August one, inviting suggestions and views of the parties with regard to the excavation of the disputed site.

In some newspapers the reporting of the order was incorrect as it gave an impression that the court has passed the final order, the bench said. It added, "In fact we have passed the order only inviting the views and suggestions of the parties and two weeks time was granted for the purpose."

"If the newspapers publish opinions of the parties or any other person threatening the court from passing the order, it amounts to contempt of the court by the press as it conveys threat of the parties or any other person from passing an order, which they do not wish to be passed," the order said.

The court said, "The party or any other person, who expresses opinion pending proceeding, is also guilty of contempt of court as it interferes in the administration of justice."

"The editors should take the responsibility for whatever is published in the newspapers. If anything is published, which hampers fair trial or poisons public mind it is contempt by the press," the order said.

"We are of the opinion that the publication in the newspapers regarding the opinion by the parties, counsel for the parties or any other person in the pending matter amounts to contempt of court," it said.

The bench, however, instead of issuing show cause notice, 'at present' warned the press to comply with the orders.

The special full bench had on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to Das as to why he should not be punished for contempt of the high court for his utterances as published in the newspapers regarding the court's suggestions for excavation of the disputed site and directed him to appear before the court on September 9 next.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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