Madhya Pradesh High Court issues notice in BJP MLA's plea for gag order against use of his name in reporting son’s marital dispute

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently issued notice in a petition by Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Jalam Singh Patel, seeking a gag order against publication of news mentioning his name when reporting on his son’s marital dispute [Jalam Singh Patel Vs Union Of India].

Justice Vishal Dhagat, of the Court's Principal Bench in Jabalpur, directed the respondents to make sure they conform with norms of journalistic conduct in the interim, and do not publish the petitioners name.

“Privacy of petitioner is to be maintained by respondents and no news be published by his name,” the single-Judge recorded.

The publications moved against were Dainik Bhaskar, Patrika, Nai Duniya, Janta Se Rishta, TV9 Bharatvarsh, Free Press Journal, Hindustan Smart and Punjab Kesari.

The petitioner submitted that there was a marital dispute between his son and daughter-in-law, and the press was “unnecessarily publishing the name of the petitioner even though he had nothing to do with the dispute.”

It was the petitioner's submission that the news was being published to defame the petitioner and to get increased readership.

“Privacy of public figure is also to be maintained,” submitted the petitioner while stressing the importance of exercising caution against such defamatory writings.

While issuing notice to the respondents, the case was adjourned to March 21. Advocate Pankaj Dubey appeared for the petitioner.

[Read order]