The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated suo motu criminal contempt against The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar over full-page advertisements about the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, with the allegations yet to be tested.
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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against the editors-in-chief and publishers of The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar over front-page advertisements published on 12 September that claimed a conspiracy against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh [Suo motu contempt proceedings against editors-in-chief and publishers of The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar].
A Division Bench of Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik took the step on 7 October 2026 and listed the matter for 25 November 2026.
The background
Both newspapers carried front-page advertisements on 12 September claiming a conspiracy against the Dera chief, who is serving a 20-year sentence following convictions in rape cases. The Hindu later issued a public apology after the advertisement drew criticism.
What the Court said
The Court observed that the advertisements may have the tendency to scandalise or lower the authority of the Court and appeared designed to mobilise public opinion and influence the judicial process.
The proceedings
The proceedings are for criminal contempt under Article 215 of the Constitution and Sections 2(c)(i), 2(c)(iii) and 15(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The initiation of contempt is a preliminary step. The Court has returned no finding of guilt, the allegations are untested, and the publishers and editors are yet to respond.
Why the order matters
Suo motu criminal contempt over paid advertisements puts the line between publicity and interference with the administration of justice before a constitutional court, in a matter that concerns a convicted person’s pending proceedings.
The Court will hear the editors and publishers on 25 November 2026, when they can answer the charge. Until then, no view has been expressed on the merits.
Case Title: Suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against editors-in-chief and publishers of The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar
Bench: Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik, Punjab and Haryana High Court
Date of Order: October 7, 2026
Next Date: November 25, 2026