Chandigarh: The Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court reacting on the media reports which quoted remarks made by judges about Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, said that media should report responsibly.
According to the report published in NDTV, the bench said that the remarks made by judges about PM being in charge of the entire country and not just his party were used out of context by the media. The bench further said that the comments were not part of the verdict.
However, according to Anupam Gupta, senior lawyer said that the remarks were made more than once
Judges said “Don’t misquote our observations. Quote, what we write in the orders…rest is the general discussion. They (media) have to do it with responsibility”, Indian Express reports.
Reacting on the clarification given by judges, Mr. Gupta said that this is a sign of weakness and PM is not above the law. Replying to this, the bench said that they are not wilting under pressure and said that media should report responsibly.
It may be mentioned that on Saturday, while hearing Public Interest Litigation on the law and order situation in the state, Punjab and Haryana High Court said, “National integration and law and order are above everything. We are one nation, not a party nation. Politicians need to understand that the nation is one. It is the Prime Minister of India, not BJP. It is the Chief Minister of the state, not BJP”.
Meanwhile, Government lawyer, Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jain said that bench never said anything against PM and did not even mention his name.
Violence after court holds Ram Rahim guilty of rape
It is also reported that 38 people were killed and scores injured in large-scale violence by Dera Sacha Sauda sect supporters as mobs went on a rampage here in Haryana after a CBI special court convicted self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Earlier, Punjab and Haryana High Court had warned the State government about the violence that can erupt as more than one lakh followers of Ram Rahim gathered in the town. After the violence, the court criticized the State Govt. and said, “You let Haryana burn for political motives”, NDTV reports.