Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Madras High Court has restrained media organisations and social media platforms from publishing or circulating videos connected with the case involving Chennai-based industrialist Gem Veeramani and sexual offences against minor girls.
The order was passed by Justice V Lakshminarayanan on a petition filed by the Thulir Foundation, which sought action against media organisations that had published videos showing one of the minor victims.
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Justice V Lakshminarayanan urged television channels to “show sensitivity” while reporting the case and refrain from conducting a “media trial”.
The judge said the court respected the right to freedom of speech and expression, as well as the media’s right to report on the crime. However, he added that “there is something more in life than the TRP Rating”.
The judge also cautioned that disclosing the identities of the victims could discourage other victims from coming forward to lodge complaints and record their statements.
COURT ASKED TO PROTECT VICTIMS’ PRIVACY
According to the petition, information about the sexual offences against children came to light in 2025 through a pen drive. The police initially closed the case in 2026 and submitted a report before the trial court.
However, the POCSO Special Court refused to accept the closure report and directed the police to conduct a further investigation. The investigation subsequently continued, and the accused persons were arrested in August.
The petitioner told the High Court that videos showing minor victims had been published by some media organisations, raising concerns about their safety and privacy. The foundation also said it had approached the police seeking action, but no action had been taken.
It sought directions for the removal of the videos from media and social media platforms and requested action against organisations that had published them.
POLICE FORM SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM
During the hearing, the police informed the court that the government was treating the matter seriously and that a Special Investigation Team comprising three women IPS officers had been constituted to investigate the case.
Police said four minor victims had so far been identified and their statements recorded.
The police also informed the court that letters had been sent to Google and Meta seeking the blocking of social media pages where the videos had been uploaded.
An investigation is also underway into how the videos were leaked and subsequently published, the court was told.
Counsel appearing for the media organisations that had published the videos sought time to file their responses.
COURT RESTRAINS PUBLICATION OF VIDEOS
During the hearing, the judge observed that the media appeared to be functioning without fully appreciating the seriousness of the matter. The court noted that continued publication of such material could discourage victims from coming forward to report offences.
Justice Lakshminarayanan also referred to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks while discussing the limits of media coverage. The judge observed that live television coverage of police operations during the attacks had enabled terrorists to alter their approach.
The court said freedom of the press did not give the media a right to conduct a media trial.
The High Court subsequently restrained media and social media platforms from publishing or circulating videos connected with the case. It also directed that no discussions relating to the case be conducted on media or social media platforms.
WEEKLY POLICE UPDATES
To ensure that the public remains informed about the investigation, the court directed the police to issue a press release once a week detailing its progress.
The High Court also directed the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, police authorities and the media organisations that had published the videos to file their responses.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 30.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
