Delhi HC rejects PIL to stop media trial against Olympian Sushil Kumar
Friday, 28 May 2021 (15:10 IST)
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday declined a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an order to stop media trial and reporting in wrestler Sushil Kumar's case, considering the rights of the accused.
The petitioner Shrikant Prasad sought to restrain the media from 'declaring him guilty 'even before the decision of the trial court.
The petitioner requested the court to initiate a high power committee to unveil those who were 'leaking' each and every information to the media by breaching the right to privacy of the accused and causing 'prejudice' against his right to a free and fair trial with an 'intention' to end his career.
The petitioner named Kamla Devi, mother of Kumar, as the co-petitioner in the PIL. However, the counsel for Kumar submitted that the wrestler's mother had not given any consent for filing the PIL.
A division bench of Justices DN Patel and Jyoti Singh,after hearing the submission made by the petitioner, stated, "We see no reason to entertain the matter. If any party is aggrieved, it can approach the court and raise grievances. This particular matter can't be raised in a PIL."
The 38-year-old wrestler and Olympian Kumar, the prime suspect, has been remanded in connection with the Chhatrasal Stadium brawl leading to the death of 23-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar on May 4.
He was arrested after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. A District Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Kumar in connection with the case.(UNI)
