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 contents may have the tendency to interfere with the administration of justice.
Taking note of the publications, Justice Subhas Mehla initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings on September 16. The matter was subsequently placed before a Division Bench comprising Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik on October 7, which adjourned the proceedings.
The full-page advertisements, titled “What is Dera Sacha Sauda? (Facts vs Fiction)” and run on September 12, raised the question “Was there a conspiracy against Guru Ji?” while asserting that Ram Rahim was framed through false allegations and testimony.
The Hindu published an unconditional apology the following day, stating that it apologised to readers for carrying the advertisement. The newspaper later stated that it would not charge Dera Sacha Sauda for the advertisement.
The Court observed that public appeals and paid narratives suggesting that courts were part of a conspiracy against a convict or accused, particularly while appeals or trials remain pending, could have the effect of mobilising public opinion and influencing the judicial process.
It accordingly held that the allegations and imputations contained in the advertisements warranted examination under the Court’s contempt jurisdiction.
The 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, as well as to the publishers and Editors-in-Chief of The Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar. The Registry has also been directed to serve copies of the advertisements along with the notices.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 25, 2026.
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