Meghalaya HC Refuses To Quash FIR Against Journalist Over FB Post
The Meghalaya High Court has dismissed a petition by the Shillong Times Editor and senior journalist Patricia Mukhim, seeking quashing of the criminal case lodged by the police.
Patricia had questioned the law and order situation of the state in a Facebook post a few days ago by referring to a clash between tribal and non-tribal youths at a basketball court in Loshatoon area.
She wrote that this continued attack on non-tribals in Meghalaya, whose attackers and trouble mongers have never been arrested since 1979 has resulted in Meghalaya being a failed state in giving social justice. On July 7, a village council in Meghalaya filed a complaint against Mukhim for her allegedly inciting statements. Based on this, the police registered a criminal case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against the journalist for promoting enmity between different groups. She was also charged with defamation, among other things. Besides, she was served a notice under Section 41 A of the Criminal Code of Procedure, requiring her to appear before the investigating officer. Mukhim then moved the High Court, contending that her Facebook post showed concern on the handling of the case and was made in good faith. Justice W. Deingdoh rejected her plea, saying that Mukhim's post sought to create a divide to the cordial relationship between tribals and non-tribals living in the state. Earlier in September, Mukhim was also held guilty of contempt for criticising the court order regarding a retired judge and his family in an article in the Shillong Times newspaper. In this case, a fine of Rs 1 lakh was given and ordered to sit in the court till the hearing in the court is over. However, the Supreme Court stayed the order of the Meghalaya High Court and the Meghalaya High Court issued a notice to the Registrar seeking an answer on the entire matter.
She wrote that this continued attack on non-tribals in Meghalaya, whose attackers and trouble mongers have never been arrested since 1979 has resulted in Meghalaya being a failed state in giving social justice. On July 7, a village council in Meghalaya filed a complaint against Mukhim for her allegedly inciting statements. Based on this, the police registered a criminal case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against the journalist for promoting enmity between different groups. She was also charged with defamation, among other things. Besides, she was served a notice under Section 41 A of the Criminal Code of Procedure, requiring her to appear before the investigating officer. Mukhim then moved the High Court, contending that her Facebook post showed concern on the handling of the case and was made in good faith. Justice W. Deingdoh rejected her plea, saying that Mukhim's post sought to create a divide to the cordial relationship between tribals and non-tribals living in the state. Earlier in September, Mukhim was also held guilty of contempt for criticising the court order regarding a retired judge and his family in an article in the Shillong Times newspaper. In this case, a fine of Rs 1 lakh was given and ordered to sit in the court till the hearing in the court is over. However, the Supreme Court stayed the order of the Meghalaya High Court and the Meghalaya High Court issued a notice to the Registrar seeking an answer on the entire matter.
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