On Wednesday(26th June),During a hearing at the Allahabad High Court challenging Rahul Gandhi’s election as an MP from Raebareli, a judge, Justice Manish Mathur, asked a reporter from a legal news website to leave the courtroom, sparking significant criticism on social media.
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UTTAR PRADESH: A reporter from a legal news website was asked to leave the courtroom by a judge during a hearing of a plea challenging Rahul Gandhi‘s election as an MP from Raebareli. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday(26th June), at the Allahabad High Court, has ignited widespread criticism on social media platforms.
The hearing, presided over by Justice Manish Mathur, took an unexpected turn when the judge directed the reporter to exit the courtroom.
“Aap (referring to the reporter from a legal news website) bahar jaaiye aur wahan reporting kijiye apni,”
You (referring to the reporter from a legal news website), go outside and report your news in English there.(translation)
-Justice Mathur was quoted as saying by the publication.
This decision by Justice Mathur has not been well received by many, especially on social media. Senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan was quick to express his discontent.
“Courtrooms are meant to be open to all, including reporters. At a time when the Supreme Court is progressing towards live-streaming proceedings, some judges appear reluctant to embrace transparency in their courts!”
-Bhushan wrote on X in the aftermath of the incident.
The expulsion of the reporter has drawn significant attention and debate regarding transparency in the judicial process.
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Another user on X commented-
“In this specific instance, it became evident how lawyers aligned with right-wing ideologies are manipulating the courts. The judge took offense and instructed the reporter to leave the courtroom.”
The incident has raised questions about the reasons behind the reporter’s expulsion, which remain unclear. This event comes at a time when there is a growing demand for transparency in court proceedings, with the Supreme Court moving towards live-streaming its sessions.
The expulsion has also highlighted the ongoing debate about the accessibility of courtrooms to the public and the media. The move to ask a reporter to leave, especially during such a high-profile case, is seen by many as a step backward in the quest for open and transparent judicial proceedings.
The directive from Justice Mathur has not only brought the issue of media access in courts to the forefront but also highlighted the varying attitudes towards transparency within the judiciary. As the debate continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role that reporters play in ensuring an informed public, especially in matters of significant public interest such as electoral challenges.
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