3 hrs ago
Madras High Court Restrains Media Over Child Abuse Case
The Madras High Court is handling a serious child abuse case.
Some media outlets shared pictures taken from a video linked to the case.
The court ordered them not to share the video or screenshots anymore.
The court said news organizations have the right to report important facts.
However, it said reporting should not become a media trial.
The judge also said children and accused people both have rights.
Chennai Police opened an investigation into how the video was leaked.
A special team will give weekly updates so people can learn about the case without seeing the material.
The Madras High Court barred media and digital platforms from sharing videos or screenshots connected to the child abuse investigation.
The order followed the publication of images allegedly showing industrialist Veeramani abusing a minor girl.
Justice V. Lakshminarayan warned that press freedom does not necessarily include conducting a media trial.
Chennai Police registered a case concerning the leak of the video clip.
An all-women Special Investigation Team must issue weekly public updates on the investigation.
- Who
- The Madras High Court, Justice V. Lakshminarayan, media outlets, Chennai Police, and an all-women Special Investigation Team are involved; industrialist Veeramani is a key accused.
- What
- The court restrained media outlets, YouTube channels, and digital platforms from publishing or circulating videos and screenshots related to the child abuse investigation.
- Where
- The proceedings concern a case being investigated in Chennai.
- When
- The order was issued on Friday, one day after media outlets shared screenshots from the video.
- Why
- The court sought to prevent interference with the factual investigation and avoid a media trial while protecting the rights of children and the accused.
Media Freedom
Court-Ordered Restraint
Reporting the case
Media Freedom
The press has a right to disseminate information under freedom of speech and expression.
Court-Ordered Restraint
The court said that the right to report must be examined separately from the possibility of conducting a media trial.
Publication of visual material
Media Freedom
Media outlets and digital platforms circulated screenshots connected to a matter they were reporting.
Court-Ordered Restraint
The court prohibited circulation of the video and screen grabs because they could interfere with the investigation and affect the rights of children and the accused.
Public access to developments
Media Freedom
Media coverage can inform the public about a major investigation.
Court-Ordered Restraint
The court ordered weekly SIT press releases as an alternative way to provide verified progress updates.
Key facts
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Presiding judge
- Justice V. Lakshminarayan
- Key accused
- Industrialist Veeramani of Gem Granites
- Media restriction
- No publishing, broadcasting, transmitting, circulating, reproducing, or disseminating related videos or screen grabs
- Leak investigation
- Chennai Police registered a case over the leaked video clip
- Investigation team
- An all-women Special Investigation Team
- Public updates
- The SIT must issue weekly press releases
Quotes
Justice V Lakshminarayan
Madras High Court judge hearing the petition concerning media coverage of the abuse investigation.
“Right has a corresponding duty and this duty is not only owed to the children but also the accused involved in the case.”
freepressjournal.in
“There are things more important in life than TRP ratings.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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