Supreme Court initiates suo motu contempt action against journalist Ajay Shukla
The Supreme Court of India today directed its Registry to register a case as suo motu contempt case against journalist Ajay Shukla.
This directed was issued by court while hearing a case titled "In Re: Scandalous Remarks Made by Mr. Ajay Shukla, Editor-in-Chief, Varprad Media Pvt. Ltd., a Digital Channel".
A bench comprising CJI BR Gavai, Justice AG Masih and Justice AS Chandurkar noted today that, "No doubt Constitution guarantees free speech, such right is restricted and one cannot be allowed to make defamatory allegations regarding a judge of this court..".
At the outset, CJI Gavai observed, "Mr. Shukla has made some very scandalous observations against judges of this court..widely published on #YouTube are likely to bring disrepute to the august institution of judiciary..".
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was also present in court added, "It is very serious..". Court has asked the Attorney General and Solicitor General to assist it in the matter which will now be taken up after the partial working days are over.
Notably, the Supreme Court today made no reference to the statements made by the journalist. Shukla, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Varpad Media has allegedly made remarks against Justice Surya Kant.
In the contemptuous video, referring to Justice Kant led bench's recent decision to grant interim bail to Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Shukla has said, "This Judge, who has perverted justice, has apparently been compromised with power. Why because he was appointed Advocate General of Haryana with the favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, he was appointed a High Court Judge, and subsequently, with Narendra Modi's favour, he became the Chief Justice of the High Court and then a Judge of the Supreme Court....".
Additionally, Shukla has said the influence on Justice Kant is evident from his decision. He added referring to BJP leader Kunwar Vijay Shah, "In a similar situation, a minister from Madhya Pradesh, who uses extremely abusive language in his videos, which are publicly available, labels a dedicated army officer, Sofia Qureshi, from a patriotic family, as a sister of terrorists and Pakistani terrorists, and nothing happens to him....".
"Justice Surya Kant gives lecture to the minister and passes order as he wanted. Now you understand, the minister will not be arrested even for a day. Nothing happens. This is the state of affairs. This is the nature of justice. When such injustices are in place, what you would expect for....", Shukla had further said.
Case Title: In Re: Scandalous Remarks Made by Mr. Ajay Shukla, Editor-in-Chief, Varprad Media