The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings over full-page advertisements concerning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh published in The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar, observing that the publications may have the tendency to interfere with the administration of justice.
The advertisements were published on September 12 under the heading “What is Dera Sacha Sauda? (Facts vs Fiction)”. One of the sections carried the question, “Was there a conspiracy against Guru Ji?”, with the advertisement alleging that Ram Rahim had been targeted through false cases and witnesses. The Hindu had published an unconditional apology on September 13, a day after the advertisement appeared, stating that it apologised to its readers for publishing the advertisement. The newspaper subsequently said that it would not charge Dera Sacha Sauda for the advertisement.
Taking note of the publications, Justice Subhas Mehla on September 16 initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings. The matter was subsequently placed before a Division Bench comprising Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik on October 7, which adjourned the matter.
The Court had observed that issuing public appeals and paid narratives suggesting that courts were part of a conspiracy against a convict or accused, while appeals or trials remain pending, could amount to an attempt to mobilise public opinion and influence the judicial process.
The Court accordingly held that the allegations and imputations contained in the advertisements warranted examination under the contempt jurisdiction.
The suo motu proceedings have been initiated under Article 215 of the Constitution, read with Sections 2(c)(i), 2(c)(iii) and 15(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Notices have been issued to Dera Sacha Sauda through its management, the publishers and Editors-in-Chief of The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar. The Registry was also directed to send copies of the advertisements along with the notices.
The Bench has listed the matter for November 25, 2026.