No intention to act against Newslaundry journalist, Delhi High Court clarifies
The Delhi High Court on Friday clarified that it has no intention of taking action against journalist Manisha Pande or prejudicing her professional career, a day after its oral remarks during a hearing sparked widespread discussion on social media.
The court also made it clear that it was not attempting to gag the media, responding to the manner in which its earlier observations from Thursday’s proceedings were circulated online.
A Division Bench comprising Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla was hearing appeals filed by TV Today, the broadcasting arm of the India Today Group, and digital news platform Newslaundry in connection with a dispute involving allegations of copyright infringement and defamation.
During Thursday’s hearing, the Bench had orally objected to the use of what it described as an unparliamentary expression during a programme featuring Pande and remarked that she “doesn’t know the basic fundamentals of decency in reporting.” The court had also observed that it could consider making her a party to the proceedings and that any order passed might place her career in “disarray.” These remarks were subsequently widely shared on social media platforms.
On Friday, although the matter was not originally listed, Justice Hari Shankar called the lawyers representing both sides to court to issue a clarification. Addressing them, he said the Bench did not intend to proceed against the journalist or cause harm to her career, adding that the lawyers present the previous day had understood the spirit in which the remarks were made.
Justice Shankar further said the clarification was meant for all those reporting on court proceedings. He underlined that the court was not seeking to curb or silence the media, but urged reporters to be mindful of the consequences of selective reporting.
Referring to the previous day’s hearing, he noted that a single paragraph from the oral observations had been taken out of context and circulated separately, leading to a flood of reactions and hate messages on social media. He cautioned that if such outcomes continued, it could discourage judges from interacting freely during hearings.
The court’s clarification comes amid ongoing debate over the tone of judicial oral remarks and their impact when amplified beyond the courtroom.
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BJP flags ‘suspicious’ circumstances in Kerala trekker Sharanya case, seeks probe
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday demanded a thorough investigation into the case of Kerala trekker GS Sharanya, who went missing for three days and was later found.
Members of the BJP’s Kodagu unit lodged a complaint at the Napoklu police station, seeking a probe and stating that the case appeared suspicious.
Sharanya, who had gone on a trek to Tadiandamol hill near Kakkabbe, went missing and was later found on Sunday following a search operation by the police, forest department, and residents.
Kodagu BJP leader P Danoj submitted a complaint to the Station House Officer, seeking a proper investigation into the case.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the behaviour of Sharanya, who was found on the fourth day, had raised suspicions.
“It is impossible for anyone to survive in a dense forest for four days without food. Naxal activities are taking place in several areas, and this case has further raised suspicion,” he said.
He demanded that the police conduct a thorough investigation and inform the public of the truth.
Napoklu BJP Shakti Kendra president Ambikaryappa alleged that Sharanya’s disappearance could be a "publicity stunt".
“It appears to be a drama aimed at tarnishing the tourism prospects of our district. Moreover, it is suspicious that Sharanya, who was in the dense forest for four days, was found without any signs of fatigue,” Ambikaryappa said.
