Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid case: Allahabad High Court urges media to exercise restraint

The Allahabad High Court recently asked the press to exercise caution when reporting court proceedings relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case..Single-judge Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra said that any irresponsible or inaccurate reporting of any order or proceedings in the case could prima facie constitute contempt of court."It is impressed to all concerned that any irresponsible or wrong reporting of the order and proceeding of the case may prima facie amount to contempt of the Court and this Court expects that the Media people will observe due restraint while reporting the proceedings of this case and will maintain the dignity and sanctity of the Court's orders in this regard," the Court observed.This would be necessary to uphold and maintain the sanctity of court proceedings as well as the orders passed in the case, the single judge added..The Court made the observation after an advocate representing one of the parties highlighted concerns regarding the legal community involved in the case and the public anxiety surrounding the matter. The advocate emphasized that the proceedings should not be misreported in electronic or print media. Other parties too raised similar concerns..The original suits have sought the removal of the Mathura Shahi Idgah Masjid on the ground that it was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land.Additional demands include gaining possession of the Shahi Idgah premises and demolishing the existing structure.The suits were earlier pending before a civil court at Mathura. However, in May 2023, the High Court transferred these suits to itself..In January, the High Court had passed a direction to consolidate and hear the fifteen suits in the case together after an application was filed by a Hindu party (plaintiff) under Order IV-A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC).In October, the High Court refused to recall its January direction to consolidate the suits.The matter will be heard next on December 4.Advocates Awadhesh Prasad, Prabhash Pandey, Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Radhey Shyam Singh, Rajesh Kumar Shukla, Reena S Singh and Sachidanand Singh appeared for the plaintiffs.Advocates Afjal Ahmad, Gulrez Khan, Hare Ram, Nasiruzzaman, Pranav Ojha and Punit Kumar Gupta appeared for the defendant..[Read Order]