Justice V Srishananda rejected the petitions filed by Prajashakti Channel Managing Director Shabbir Pasha and CEO V Kusuma, seeking quashing of the criminal case.
During the hearing, the Court took strong exception to the language employed by the petitioners and the insinuations made by them in the video.
“The background voice in the program is yours. You are the one who said that the Deputy Chief Minister is in love with the District Collector. Would it be okay if somebody speak like this to the daughters of your house? Do you alone have protection of Article 21 of the Constitution? Don’t they?” the bench asked.
The Court also questioned the accused about the impact such allegations could have on the dignity and reputation of the Deputy Commissioner and her family members, particularly her children.
“You were arrested after collecting and checking your voice sample. Is it your job that to destroy other people house morning to night? Are there no daughters in your house? Wouldn’t District Collector get upset if said that she had a relationship with a minister? Don’t they have children? Doesn’t Article 21 of the Constitution apply to them? If the child of District Collector isasked in school that your mother had relationship with a minister, would it not hurt her? Shouldn’t they live with dignity? Don’t you know that you are saying this to a District Collector?” the bench asked.