On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court initiated suo-motu proceedings following media reports detailing a harrowing incident in Belgavi. The reports described the alleged assault on a woman, who was purportedly beaten and publicly humiliated after her son eloped with a girl. The assailants reportedly went to the extent of tying her naked to an electricity pole. The division bench, comprised of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice M G S Kamal, took cognizance of these distressing accounts, as published in Deccan Herald and The Hindu.
Expressing profound concern, the bench remarked on the stark contradiction between the ongoing celebration of India's 76th Independence Day and the distressing incident in Karnataka. The state, historically recognized for its progressive stance and commitment to social justice, now faced the glaring reality of such an incident. The court acknowledged the victim's ordeal, emphasizing the disconcerting nature of the news articles that compelled them to reflect on the prevailing state of affairs.
Notably, the court highlighted that a minister had provided consolation to the victim during this trying time. However, it expressed dismay at the media's handling of the situation, particularly with regards to the photography and videography of the victim. While acknowledging the media's role in reporting such incidents, the bench raised concerns about the potential compromise of the victim's dignity, even if her image was blurred.
In response to the media's actions, the court issued a directive aimed at preventing the telecast of any interviews or interactions with the victim. This interim measure was intended to safeguard the victim's identity and dignity until further legal proceedings took place. Importantly, the court clarified that this directive did not intend to curb the media's freedom to report on the incident but rather sought to balance the right to information with the protection of the victim's privacy.
The court also took note of the commitment from the Advocate General, K Shashi Kiran Shetty, who assured the court of immediate steps to prevent any further harm or sensationalization of the incident. The Advocate General pledged to address the matter promptly.
In a move to maintain transparency and oversight, the court directed the Advocate General to submit a status report on the incident by December 14, 2023. This decision demonstrated the court's commitment to monitoring the developments surrounding the case and ensuring that appropriate actions were taken promptly.
The court's intervention in this matter underscored the importance of upholding human dignity and the need for responsible media reporting. As the legal proceedings unfolded, it remained to be seen how the justice system would address the grievous incident and bring those responsible to account, while also balancing the principles of freedom of the press and the protection of individuals' rights.
TAGS: Media reports Division bench Independence Day Social justice Victim's ordeal Minister's consolation Media coverage Privacy protection
