We have taken truth to be our defence: Vitusha Oberoi
New Delhi, Sept. 21 (PTI): Mid Day Newspaper Editor Vitusha Oberoi, who was today sentenced along with three of her colleagues for contempt by the Delhi High Court, said they have taken truth to be their defence.
"We have said that what we have said is the truth (in their articles relating to former Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal) and that is why we should not be hauled up for contempt.
"We have also said that an ex-judicial officer ceases to have the protection of contempt law," Oberoi said in her reaction to the court judgment sentencing them to four-month imprisonment.
Cartoonist Irfan Khan, who was also sentenced, said he has been drawing cartoons for 20 years on corruption.
In his reaction, Secretary General of Editors Guild of India K S Sachidananda Murthy said the Guild has always held that in any contempt proceedings truth, reported without malafide, should be the sole test.
"If a journalist reported truthful matters, then he should be judged on that basis. We have been asking for a change in contempt law and the Guild is again meeting next month when we will further deliberate on the issue on the basis of this judgment, proceedings in different courts," he said.
Murthy said the Guild would again urge the government, Parliament and other bodies concerned to see that contempt law is changed and truth becomes the only test for judging the contempt.
Top Stories
