Observing that it has become a culture for minions to indulge in vandalism when court verdicts are rendered against their masters and leaders, the Madras High Court Bench here has condemned the act of garnet baron S. Vaikundarajan’s aide having abused a correspondent of The Hindu inside a court hall on December 23.
In his order granting anticipatory bail to Mr. Vaikundarajan and his brother S. Jegadeesan in a case booked by the CBI, Justice P.N. Prakash pointed out that Special Public Prosecutor G.R. Swaminathan had brought to his notice that the petitioners’ men had gone to the extent of abusing a journalist on the court premises for writing a news report on their case.
“Manhandling a press man, who comes to the court to perform his duty, is undoubtedly a despicable and condemnable act. Stifling of the press would lead to fall of democracy. It has now become a culture for minions to indulge in vandalism… But can overzealous acts of those in the lower rank be a ground for denying bail or anticipatory bail to their master?
“Very recently, the former Chief Minister was convicted in Bangalore and there was vandalism, but that did not deter the honourable apex court from granting bail to her, for courts of law are expected to take decisions only on the facts obtained in the case on hand and not be influenced by extraneous happenings.”
Further, pointing out that the Othakadai police near here had booked a criminal case on the basis of a complaint lodged by the journalist to the Registrar (Administration) of the High Court, the judge said: “If during the investigation of the case… it comes to light that Vaikundarajan and Jegadeesan were involved, the law should and will catch up with them.”
“It has become a culture for minions to indulge in vandalism when court verdicts are rendered against their masters”
