The Kerala High Court has cautioned the media against speculative reporting on the alleged loss of gold from Sabarimala temple’s Dwarapalaka idols. The Court stressed protecting the investigation and rights of the accused while keeping the public informed.
The Kerala High Court on Friday asked the media to be careful and not sensationalise reports about the alleged loss of gold from the gold-plated copper plates covering the ‘Dwarapalaka idols’ (door guardians) at the Sabarimala temple.
The Court said that careless and speculative reporting could affect the ongoing investigation as well as the rights of those who are accused in the matter.
The Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar pointed out that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Court has just started its work, and therefore it is important that the investigation is not disturbed by premature or exaggerated media coverage.
The Bench explained that while the people have a right to know about important issues through the press, the trial process and the rights of the accused also need to be protected. The Court remarked that the media seemed to be relying on comments of people who had very little understanding of the matter.
The judges said,
“It is the right of the public to know current information which is served by electronic and print media. It is also understood that every person standing trial before a court is entitled to open, speedy, and fair trial. It cannot also be disputed that investigation is part of trial for the public and the public has a deep interest in trials. However what we have come to note is that people who have only a fleeting acquaintance with the matters are being interviewed by the media. Contradictory reports are placed in newspapers, print and electronic media.”
The Court further expressed concern that even people with just a mobile phone or video camera but no proper information were broadcasting reports in a way that could harm the investigation.
It said,
“People who have access to a mobile phone or video camera are also telecasting matters which may infringe the rights of the accused as well as appropriate investigation into the matter. We exhort the media to refrain from indulging in sensationalising the issue.”
The observations came in an order passed during suo motu proceedings that were initiated after the Sabarimala Special Commissioner submitted a report.
The report had raised concerns that the gold-plated copper plates covering the idols were removed and sent for repair to a private Chennai-based firm, Smart Creations, without informing either the Court or the Commissioner.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had entrusted the repair work to Smart Creations through a devotee named Unnikrishnan Potti, who sponsored the repair. Reports revealed that 42.8 kg of items were handed over to Potti, but the Chennai firm confirmed receiving only about 38 kg for the repair.
Later, vigilance officers found some of the missing gold-plated pedhams at the house of Potti’s sister.
They also found missing entries in the Thiruvabharanam diary, which keeps records of gold ornaments donated by devotees, and noticed irregularities in other record books of the TDB.
The Commissioner’s report also highlighted major errors in the TDB registers. Because of this, the Court appointed retired judge Justice KT Sankaran to carry out a complete and proper inventory of all valuable ornaments and articles at the Sabarimala temple.
The Court also ordered an SIT probe into the matter. On Friday, it was informed that Justice Sankaran would visit the temple over the weekend to begin his work.
At the same time, the Court impleaded the State Police Chief into the case. The Police Chief, who is also the head of the SIT formed by the Court, was directed to register a criminal case and conduct a detailed investigation.
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The SIT has been ordered to submit reports to the Court every two weeks in sealed covers. The judges also repeated their earlier warning that the SIT should not speak to the media about the investigation.
The case will now come up again after ten days.
In the hearing, Senior Government Pleader S. Rajmohan appeared for the State, while Standing Counsel G. Biju represented the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Advocate Sayujya Radhakrishnan acted as amicus curiae for the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. Advocates R. Sudhish and M. Manju appeared for Unnikrishnan Potti.
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