P&H High Court: Suo Motu Contempt Over The Hindu, Dainik Bhaskar Dera Ads

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated *suo motu* contempt proceedings against The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar.
• The action targets the editors-in-chief and publishers for running Dera Sacha Sauda advertisements claiming a conspiracy against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
• Justice Subhas Mehla's order stated the ads insinuated court involvement in the conspiracy and attempted to influence the judicial process.
• Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a 20-year rape sentence, with an appeal pending, and was acquitted in two murder cases in 2024.
• The case is listed for further consideration on November 25 before Justices Vinod S Bhardwaj and Ravinder Malik.

This case serves as a critical reminder for media lawyers and compliance officers about the broad scope of *suo motu* contempt of court powers, particularly concerning advertisements that could be perceived as influencing judicial proceedings or questioning judicial integrity.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken *suo motu* cognizance of alleged contempt of court, initiating proceedings against the editors-in-chief and publishers of prominent media outlets, The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar. This action stems from the publication of Dera Sacha Sauda advertisements that asserted its chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was the target of a conspiracy. The court views these advertisements as potentially undermining the judicial process.

The matter was recently brought before a bench comprising Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik for consideration. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 25, indicating that the legal scrutiny into the media houses' conduct is ongoing. This development highlights the judiciary's proactive stance in safeguarding its integrity against perceived attempts to influence public opinion or judicial outcomes.

The *suo motu* contempt action underscores the broad powers vested in the P&H High Court to address actions that could obstruct the administration of justice. The proceedings are a direct response to the content of the Dera ads, which the court believes crossed a line by implying judicial involvement in a purported conspiracy against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The advertisements in question, which appeared on the front pages of both The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar on September 12, propagated claims of a conspiracy against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Following public outcry and significant backlash, The Hindu subsequently issued a public apology for publishing the advertisement, acknowledging the controversy it generated.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera chief at the center of this controversy, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two of his disciples. An appeal challenging this conviction and sentence is presently pending before the High Court. Despite his current incarceration, Singh has seen some legal victories, having been acquitted in two different murder cases in 2024, including one in March of the current year.

The impetus for these *suo motu* contempt proceedings originated from an order issued by Justice Subhas Mehla. Justice Mehla specifically noted that the Dera Sacha Sauda propaganda advertisements insinuated that the courts themselves were implicated in the alleged conspiracy against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. This interpretation formed the core of the judicial concern.

The judge further articulated that the advertisements constituted an attempt to mobilize public opinion and improperly influence the judicial process. Such actions, he concluded, directly obstruct the administration of justice. The court's view, based on a *prima facie* consideration of the advertisement publications, was that their content posed a significant challenge to the impartiality and authority of the judiciary, necessitating immediate legal intervention under India's media law concerning contempt of court.

This case serves as a critical reminder for media lawyers and compliance officers about the broad scope of *suo motu* contempt of court powers, particularly concerning advertisements that could be perceived as influencing judicial proceedings or questioning judicial integrity. The P&H High Court's action against The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar for publishing Dera ads highlights the stringent responsibilities media houses bear, even for paid content.

It underscores the need for stringent vetting of all content, including commercial advertisements, to avoid legal repercussions. The judiciary's clear stance against any perceived attempt to sway public opinion or interfere with ongoing legal matters, especially those involving high-profile figures like Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, reinforces the importance of upholding the sanctity of the judicial process. This incident will likely prompt a re-evaluation of editorial and advertising policies across the Indian media landscape.

This case serves as a critical reminder for media lawyers and compliance officers about the broad scope of *suo motu* contempt of court powers, particularly concerning advertisements that could be perceived as influencing judicial proceedings or questioning judicial integrity. It underscores the need for stringent vetting of content, even paid advertisements, to avoid legal repercussions for media houses.

Source: Original reporting via Bar and Bench