The Hindu : SC notice to magazine editor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003

National

National

SC notice to magazine editor

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI March 31. The Supreme Court today ordered notice to the Editor of the Tamil bi-weekly, Nakkeeran, R.R. Gopal, on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Government seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to him by the Madras High Court.

A Bench, comprising Justice S.S.M. Quadri and Justice Ashok Bhan, granted four weeks time to Mr. Gopal to file his response. The State Government will file a rejoinder two weeks thereafter.

When the Additional Solicitor-General, Altaf Ahmed, appearing for the State, pleaded for a stay of the impugned judgment dated March 5, the Bench said "no interim orders.''

Mr. Gopal filed a petition in the High Court alleging that he had been falsely implicated in two cases relating to the forest brigand Veerappan and that he apprehended torture at the hands of the Tamil Nadu police in the guise of interrogation. The High Court granted him anticipatory bail and directed him to cooperate in the investigation.

Contending that Mr. Gopal would tamper with witnesses and materials relevant to the investigation and thus hamper investigation, the State Government prayed for setting aside the impugned judgment and allowing custodial interrogation of Mr. Gopal.

Mr. Ahmed submitted that without custodial interrogation, effective investigation would be affected. The Bench responded, saying "what you can do in custody can be done even now.

`` What is the difficulty in the investigation? The High Court has permitted you to interrogate the petitioner.''

Counsel said the prosecution had gathered certain materials relating to the operations of Veerappan and they could be put to the petitioner only if he was subjected to custodial interrogation.

Mr. K. Subramanian and Mr. K.T.S. Tulsi, senior counsel for Mr. Gopal, explained to the Court how the petitioner had been falsely implicated in the two cases by the police, giving vent to their frustration at not being able to nab Veerappan.

He said nearly 100 cases had been filed by the State Government against the reporters of the magazine and finally the Editor had been subjected to harassment.

Counsel submitted that Mr. Gopal visited the forests six times to meet Veerappan to secure the release of those who were kidnapped, on the authority of the State Government.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National