मेड्रेड हाई कोर्ट ने वीरामणि केस में वीडियो प्रसार पर रोक लगाई

More to life than TRP: Madras High Court bars media from publishing videos in Veeramani case

The Madras High Court has restrained media outlets and social media platforms from publishing or circulating videos linked to the Gem Veeramani case. The order is aimed at protecting minor victims' privacy while the police pursue the leak and the wider investigation.

The Madras High Court has restrained media organisations and social media platforms from publishing or circulating videos connected with the case involving Chennai-based industrialist Gem Veeramani and sexual offences against minor girls.

The order was passed by Justice V Lakshminarayanan on a petition filed by the Thulir Foundation, which sought action against media organisations that had published videos showing one of the minor victims.

Justice V Lakshminarayanan urged television channels to “show sensitivity” while reporting the case and refrain from conducting a “media trial”.

The judge said the court respected the right to freedom of speech and expression, as well as the media’s right to report on the crime. However, he added that “there is something more in life than the TRP Rating”.

The judge also cautioned that disclosing the identities of the victims could discourage other victims from coming forward to lodge complaints and record their statements.

COURT ASKED TO PROTECT VICTIMS’ PRIVACY

According to the petition, information about the sexual offences against children came to light in 2025 through a pen drive. The police initially closed the case in 2026 and submitted a report before the trial court.

However, the POCSO Special Court refused to accept the closure report and directed the police to conduct a further investigation. The investigation subsequently continued, and the accused persons were arrested in August.

The petitioner told the High Court that videos showing minor victims had been published by some media organisations, raising concerns about their safety and privacy. The foundation also said it had approached the police seeking action, but no action had been taken.

It sought directions for the removal of the videos from media and social media platforms and requested action against organisations that had published them.

COURT TELLS PARTIES NOT TO POLITICISE THE ISSUE

In a separate development during the proceedings, the Madras High Court told lawyers representing the DMK and Tamil Nadu ministers to advise their respective sides against politicising the case.

Tamil Nadu ministers Nirmal Kumar and Aadhav Arjuna had given media interviews in which they accused the previous DMK government of allowing Veeramani to escape without appropriate action. The TVK IT wing had also made similar claims against the previous government in posts on X.

The DMK, through its general secretary and former minister Duraimurugan, subsequently approached the High Court seeking to restrain the ministers and the TVK IT wing from making such statements. The party has also sought Rs 1.01 crore in compensation for alleged defamation.

The petition said a complaint against Veeramani was received on October 6, 2025, and that a case was registered the following day. It claimed that immediate action was taken without interference or delay.

The DMK has also sought directions to social media companies to remove posts and videos in which the previous government was accused in connection with the case.

When the matter came before Justice Govindarajan Tilakavathi, senior counsel J Ravindran, appearing for the DMK, sought permission to implead Meta, YouTube and X in the proceedings.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan, appearing for the ministers, argued that prior notice should have been issued to them before proceedings were initiated. He contended that the petition was not maintainable as no such notice had been served.

The judge directed the ministers, the TVK IT wing and the social media companies to respond to the DMK's petition and adjourned the matter to Monday.

During the hearing, the judge also told lawyers on both sides to advise the ministers and the DMK against making political comments on the case. The judge observed that reading the details of the case was distressing and described the matter as extremely serious.

The court further observed that an exchange of political comments could potentially create a situation in which those involved in the case could escape accountability.

POLICE FORM SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM

During the hearing, the police informed the court that the government was treating the matter seriously and that a Special Investigation Team comprising three women IPS officers had been constituted to investigate the case.

Police said four minor victims had so far been identified and their statements recorded.

The police also informed the court that letters had been sent to Google and Meta seeking the blocking of social media pages where the videos had been uploaded.

An investigation is also underway into how the videos were leaked and subsequently published, the court was told.

Counsel appearing for the media organisations that had published the videos sought time to file their responses.

COURT RESTRAINS PUBLICATION OF VIDEOS

During the hearing, the judge observed that the media appeared to be functioning without fully appreciating the seriousness of the matter. The court noted that continued publication of such material could discourage victims from coming forward to report offences.

Justice Lakshminarayanan also referred to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks while discussing the limits of media coverage. The judge observed that live television coverage of police operations during the attacks had enabled terrorists to alter their approach.

The court said freedom of the press did not give the media a right to conduct a media trial.

The High Court subsequently restrained media and social media platforms from publishing or circulating videos connected with the case. It also directed that no discussions relating to the case be conducted on media or social media platforms.

WEEKLY POLICE UPDATES

To ensure that the public remains informed about the investigation, the court directed the police to issue a press release once a week detailing its progress.

The High Court also directed the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, police authorities and the media organisations that had published the videos to file their responses.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 30.

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