The Telangana High Court delivered a clear message on Wednesday, stating that media channels should refrain from making personal derogatory remarks against judges as it negatively impacts the reputation of judicial institutions.
Justice M Laxman strongly objected to certain primetime debate programs aired by Mahaa News and ABN News Telugu, specifically related to the Avinash Reddy bail case.
In his statement, Justice Laxman expressed concern about the attempts made by selective media to undermine and derail the judicial process by tarnishing his image and intimidating the independent decision-making process. He highlighted that some participants on these channels made personal attacks, with one suspended and detained judge alleging that "money bags went to the judge," and another participant, who held a respectable office, using derogatory language and gestures to undermine the judge's competence and comprehension abilities.
While the High Court acknowledged the right of the press and news media to express opinions without commenting on the merits of judicial decisions, Justice Laxman emphasized that such actions erode the reputation of the judiciary as a whole. He considered this conduct as contempt of court and even contemplated recusing himself from the matter initially.
The High Court directed its Registry to submit the order, containing the aforementioned observations and video clips of the programs aired on May 26, to the Chief Justice for an appropriate decision.
Earlier in the day, Justice Laxman had granted anticipatory bail to MP YS Avinash Reddy in connection with the murder case of YS Vivekananda Reddy. The court noted the absence of direct evidence against the petitioner and stated that custodial interrogation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was unjustified.
Vivekananda Reddy, a former Kadapa MP, was murdered at his residence in March 2019. The investigation into the murder was transferred to the CBI by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2020, and the trial was later transferred to a Special CBI Court in Hyderabad by the Supreme Court in November.
The Supreme Court previously expressed dissatisfaction with the Telangana High Court's delay in deciding Avinash Reddy's plea and directed a vacation bench of the High Court to address the matter.
Justice Laxman mentioned this development in his order, stating that he initially considered recusing himself but ultimately decided to proceed based on the Apex Court's direction and his commitment to fulfilling his duties without fear.
In April, the Supreme Court overturned a Telangana High Court order that had imposed restrictions on the CBI during Avinash Reddy's interrogation. The High Court had required the CBI to present its questions in printed form, share them in advance, and record the MP's interrogation.
TAGS: Telangana High Court media channels personal remarks derogatory language image of judicial institutions Justice M Laxman primetime debate programs Mahaa News ABN News Telugu Avinash Reddy bail case reputation selective media contempt of court fourth estate press news media panelists institutional image recusal YS Avinash Reddy YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case direct evidence custodial interrogation Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Supreme Court Andhra Pradesh High Court Special CBI Court plea restrictions interrogation.
