The Hindu has reportedly redacted a report about Justice Atul Sreedharan going on leave purportedly after the transfer of NIA Act cases and habeas corpus matters from his bench, after the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court took “serious exception” to the report, Bar and Bench reported.
A division bench comprising Justice Sreedharan himself and Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani asked the Registrar Judicial to place the matter before the Acting Chief Justice to consider if criminal contempt proceedings should be initiated against the newspaper, according to Bar and Bench.
The court reportedly said the report was “false, malicious and contemptuous” and amounted to interference with the administration of justice.
“This court is also disturbed by the incorrect factual aspect given in the social media post and also in the newspaper that one of us had gone on leave on account of the change in roster which is patently untrue as the said Judge had taken a casual leave on 02.09.2024 on account of medical reasons.”
The Hindu had published the report on September 2. It took down its digital version after the court order was issued.
The report in question had said: “Justice Sreedharan is known for his incisive observations and bold directions. The judge in several cases picked up holes in the investigation and reprimanded the investigating agency. He was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh in April 2023.”
Meanwhile, the court said the NIA and habeas corpus matters by way of order passed on August 30 were placed before a special bench comprising Justice Rajnesh Oswal and Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary to expedite the cases. “The NIA matters were considered as separate as same being a matter of liberty and concern for the security of the country and in view of the sensitivity involved in these matter, the NIA matters were treated as separate subject matters so that these matters be dealt speedily and expeditiously.”
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