Violation of a court order restraining parties from discussing their cases in the media can amount to contempt of court.

ORDER :

1. A newspaper report captioned “Krishna talks tough on Almatti dam Says no compromise on height” published in the Times of India on 24.1.2000 is brought to our notice. If this is true, it clearly falls foul on the clear restraint order issued by us on 19.1.2000 which is as under:

“At this stage when the suite have been taken up for hearing before us, we find it appropriate after hearing learned Counsel for the parties, to direct all the concerned parties that during the pendency of these proceedings before this Court none of the parties to these litigations shall go to the press or take recourse to any other media in respect of their respective cases which are being considered by us.”

2. The aforesaid order was passed on 19.1.2000 in presence of learned Counsel for respective States. Learned senior counsel, Mr. F.S. Nariman assisted by Mr. A.N. Jayaram, Advocate General for the State of Karnataka had taken note of this order for its due compliance by the State of Karnataka. Similarly, learned senior counsel, Mr. K. Parasaran assisted by Mr. A.K. Ganguli, learned senior counsel and Mr. N.V. Ramana, Addl. Adv. General for the State of Andhra Pradesh had taken note of this order for its due compliance by the State of Andhra Pradesh. Learned senior counsel, Mr. T.R. Andhyarujina, assisted by Mr. D.M. Nargolkar, learned Counsel for the State of Maharashtra had taken note of this order for its due compliance by the State of Maharashtra.

3. In view of our clear order, this type of report prima-facie amounts to contempt of this Court. Hence, notice to issue to Shri S.M. Krishna, Chief Minister, State of Karnataka who is said to have given the aforesaid statement, returnable on 8.2.2000. The alleged contemnor shall remain present on that date in the Court.