Punjab and Haryana High Court Initiates Contempt Case Over Dera Sacha Sauda Advertisements

The Punjab and Haryana High Court initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against editors and publishers of two newspapers over advertisements concerning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Background

The advertisements alleged a conspiracy against the Dera leader. The Court is examining whether publication in the context of pending judicial matters amounted to contempt.

Legal issue

The proceeding raises the distinction between publication of paid advocacy and interference with the administration of justice.

Court’s approach

Initiation of contempt proceedings is not a conviction. The persons concerned must be afforded an opportunity to answer the allegations.

What follows

The case will proceed under the statutory and constitutional contempt framework, with liability to be determined only after hearing.