LI Network
Published on: December 14, 2023 at 13:30 IST
The Karnataka High Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of recent news articles in leading dailies with headlines like ‘Woman beaten up, paraded naked after son elopes with girl’ and ‘Woman assaulted, tied to a pole after son elopes with girl.’
Expressing concern over the sensitivity of the matter, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B. Varale and Justice M.G.S Kamal issued a directive prohibiting the telecast of the video interviews featuring the victim who was subjected to the humiliating incident.
The Court particularly highlighted a photograph published in the Kannada Daily ‘Prajavani,’ which depicted a visit by Hon’ble Minister Smt. Lakshmi Hebbalkar to the victim. While the print media displayed sensitivity by blurring the victim’s image, the photograph revealed individuals, presumably from the electronic media, capturing the victim’s reaction in an irresponsible and insensitive manner.
In its observations, the Bench drew attention to the contrast between the nation celebrating its 76th year of independence and the regressive incident in Karnataka, known for its progressive stance and historical commitment to social justice.
The High Court took note of news articles from ‘Deccan Herald’ and ‘The Hindu,’ dated December 12, 2023, with disturbing captions, expressing deep concern and emphasizing the need to protect the victim’s dignity and identity.
The Court explicitly directed media houses not to broadcast the interview or interaction on any national or regional channel if the victim’s interview has been videographed during the minister’s visit.
The interim order aims to safeguard the victim’s dignity and prevent the disclosure of her identity. The Court clarified that it does not intend to restrict media coverage, upholding the principle of freedom of the press.
The High Court further instructed the Advocate General to submit a status report on the incident by December 14. Simultaneously, the Registrar General was directed to initiate suo-motu proceedings and take necessary steps.
Case Title: High Court of Karnataka v. The State of Karnataka and Others.”
