Dont speculate Guj CMM tells media CMM

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Ahmedabad, May 6 (UNI) While reporting about the Gujarat fake encounter case the media should stick to facts and avoid speculation and sensationalising as it may ''prejudice'' proceedings against the accused, a local court has said.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate K J Upadhyay, in whose court the case against three IPS officials for killing Soharabuddin Sheikh in an alleged shootout is pending, said media should report objectively about the incident and avoid all speculation.

He was referring to media reports of the alleged interference by the minister of state for Home Amit Shah in the case.

CMM Upadhyay, in a statement released here yesterday, said media should behave responsibly and not ''deviate from the truth''.

''News is being published without ascertaining the facts of the case in the alleged fake encounter of three persons. Speculation is being palmed off as news by the media that is detrimental to the accused. Media should behave responsibly and avoid sensationalising the news. Otherwise it would prejudice the case of the accused and they would not get fair trial,'' the statement said.

He said IG, CID (Crime) Geeta Johri had submitted only one report to the DGP and a copy to the Registrar, Supreme Court.

The DGP had sought Geeta Johri's comment on such news reports on April 25. In her reply to the DGP on April 26, Ms Johri had said, ''I was entrusted with this preliminary enquiry with effect from June 2006 till March 6, 2007 when further investigation in the above case was taken by a special investigation team.

The preliminary enquiry was done in a fair and impartial manner with no interference from any quarter.'' She said, ''It may please be noted that except for report no 677/Pre.Inq./06 dated 7/12/2006 sent on behalf of CID Crime in the above case to the DGP office, I have not sent or signed any other report on this issue. The above report does not mention name of any police officer or the honourable minister.'' CMM Upadhyay said such reports should not have been published, especially when investigation is on and the matter is subjudice, Mr Upadhyay said.

UNI

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