All India Bar Association seeks suo motu contempt proceedings against Tamil news channel

All India Bar Association has demanded suo motu contempt proceedings against Tamil news channel, Thanthi, for allegedly telecasting arguments in the bail application hearing of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the apex court.

AIBA asserted that even though it strongly supports media freedom and freedom of expression, including the recording and telecast of court proceedings, it should not be done unless the court procedure permits the same.

In an order delivered on 17^th October, the Supreme Court suspended Bangalore Special Court’s Sentence passed against Jayalalithaa in the Disproportionate assets Case and ordered her release with stringent conditions. The Three Judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Dattu inclined to grant the relief after getting assurance from her lawyer Fali Nariman that she won’t ask for any adjournment in Karnataka High Court and will file the paper book of appeal within 2 months. Read the Live Law story and order here.

Adish C. Aggarwala, Chairman of AIBA, in a letter to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Court, said, "It is inappropriate and contemptuous to record and telecast court proceedings. The telecast of Fali Nariman's arguments in Jayalalithaa bail matter in the Supreme Court by Thanthi Television on October 18 is contemptuous and the Supreme Court of India should take stern action of contempt of court against all concerned who are responsible for its recording and telecast."

Read more news about the disproportionate assets case here.