The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings over front-page advertisements published in The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar concerning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Background
The advertisements appeared on September 12 under the heading “What is Dera Sacha Sauda? (Facts vs Fiction)” and included the question, “Was there a conspiracy against Guru Ji?” The publications referred to allegations surrounding the legal proceedings involving Ram Rahim.
The issue had earlier been taken up by Justice Subhas Mehla, who, on September 16, initiated proceedings after examining the publications. The Hindu subsequently issued an unconditional apology over the advertisement.
The Court observed that publications suggesting that courts were part of a conspiracy against a convict or accused could potentially affect the administration of justice.
Justice Mehla recorded that such material was prima facie capable of having “the tendency to scandalize or lower the authority” of the Court and could interfere with or obstruct judicial proceedings.
The order further noted that the Court, being a court of record under Article 215 of the Constitution, has the power to punish for contempt of itself.
The High Court took suo motu cognizance of criminal contempt under Article 215 of the Constitution read with Sections 2(c)(i), 2(c)(iii) and 15(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Notices were issued to Dera Sacha Sauda and the publishers and editors-in-chief of both newspapers.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 25, 2026.
