HC asks media to show restraint in reporting land dispute case

Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked media to show restraint in reporting court proceedings on a land dispute after some news reports mentioned the name of a Congress minister despite him not being a party to the case.

A single judge bench of Justice Hasnain Massodi said this while taking serious note of reports on the case in a section of the press.

"The media is expected to observe restraint and avoid publishing any news item or making comments without permission of the court, seized of the matter, on the nature of dispute or involvement of anyone, not a party to the dispute in the controversy," said Justice Massodi.

"Once the media is aware that dispute between the parties is subject matter of a trial before the court, it is expected to observe restraint and allow the court to deal with and decide the matter in accordance with law, free from any pressure, likely to be generated" due to reporting, the judge said.

The high court order came on a plea by Additional Advocate General (AAG) Gangan Basorta, who alleged in the court that "an effort is being made by the media to use the dispute as a tool to drag some public figures, commanding respect in the society, in the controversy over litigation between the parties."

The case pertained to a dispute over 2 kanals of land in Muthi area of Jammu district.