Today, On 13th June, The Supreme Court granted bail to an Andhra journalist arrested over a panelist’s comments on a TV show. It observed, “His journalistic participation needs to be protected and his freedom of speech is also to be protected.”
New Delhi: The Supreme Court granted bail to journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao on Friday, following his arrest on June 9 over allegedly derogatory remarks made by a panelist during a talk show on Sakshi TV.
The Bench, consisting of Justices PK Mishra and Manmohan, emphasized that Rao did not make the statement himself, and highlighting the importance of protecting his right to free speech.
The Court stated,
“Considering that petitioner himself has not made the statement and his journalistic participation in a live TV show needs to be protected and his freedom of speech is also to be protected, petitioner is to be released on bail,”
Rao hosts the KSR Live Show on Sakshi TV.
During the show, a panelist allegedly referred to Amaravati as a “capital of prostitutes” where “only AIDS patients live.”
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A complaint was lodged regarding these comments, claiming they offended women’s sentiments. It was also alleged that Rao did not object to the remarks and was seen laughing in response.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, representing Rao, argued that he had no involvement in the panelist’s comments. In contrast, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the State, contended that Rao was complicit by laughing at the statement.
Rohatgi remarked,
“He was laughing,”
However, the Court was not persuaded by this argument.
The Bench commented,
“If someone makes an outrageous statement, we laugh about it. He’s not saying it,”
The Court also noted Rao’s age, indicating that he is a senior journalist around 70 years old. Subsequently, it granted him bail.
Case Title: KOMMINENI SRINIVASA RAO vs STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, W.P.(Crl.) No. 244/2025