Why Publicize Petition? Gujarat High Court Asks As Journalist Mahesh Langa Withdraws Challenge To Remand In GST "Fraud" Case

Journalist and Senior Assistant Editor at The Hindu newspaper Mahesh Langa sought to withdraw his plea before the Gujarat High Court on Monday which challenged his 10 day police remand in an alleged GST "fraud" case. While the court permitted his request it however orally questioned why the matter was "so publicized". 

When the matter was called, Langa's counsel submitted before a single judge bench of Justice Sandeep Bhatt that he had instructions to withdraw the petition, which was permitted by the court. 

The court however orally asked why was the matter being withdrawn and whether there had been any subsequent developments. To this the counsel said "that is what our instructions is". 

"In view of subsequent development? Any development is there?" the court orally asked. To this the counsel responded that he was not aware of the same. 

At this stage the court orally said,"Why is it so publicized?...Every citizen is a citizen. We dont want any publicity atleast during the course of adjudication. This is not fair...It seems that some attempt was made to...ultimately we are not carried away with such attempt. That is not proper. He may not be interested in that publicity but whoever is behind... Because entire petition is published in some of..that should not happen. Certainly have some...I don't want to disclose since you are withdrawing. That is not healthy practice. Whoever it is politician, reporter, or some normal citizen. Court of law is court of law. It will be considered on its own merits. Then why such extra hue and cry...". 

Permitting the withdrawal the court said that it has not expressed any opinion on merits of the matter. 

Langa had moved the high court against the October 9 order of the magisterate's court remanding him to 10 day police custody. He has been booked under various IPC offences including Sections 420(Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467(Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468(Forgery for purpose of cheating), 471(Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) among others. 

Case title: Maheshdan Prabhudan Langa v State of Gujarat and Anr.

LL Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Guj) 154