Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 31: The state High Court (HC) refused to stay publication of reports from the media in connection with the death of unnatural death of Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji, spiritual head of Shiroor Math here earlier this month.

President of Udupi Ashta Matha Hitharakshana Samiti, H V Gautham, and religious scholar, B Ramachandra Upadhyaya, had filed writ petition in the HC seeking directions to electronic and print media against publication or transmission of baseless news about the late Swamiji. The petition came before the single judge bench presided over by Justice Aravind Kumar on Monday July 30.

The petitioners who appeared through senior advocate, B V Acharya, argued that the media have been bringing out reports containing imaginary stories and that they have also been conducting parallel investigation alongside the police and judiciary and announcing who is guilty. "The behaviour of the media looks as if implementation of punishment alone is pending. Therefore, through an interim order, publication of reports relating to the Swamiji should be stayed," they pleaded.

The bench, which heard prolonged arguments, presented on behalf of the petitioners, ordered issuance of emergency notices to the editors of private television channels, daily newspapers, weeklies, and internet news websites named as defendants in the petition, in addition to the state home secretary. The hearing was posted to August 2.