‘Media Cannot Be Gentle’: Adv Geeta Luthra On Lapses In Twisha Case And Press Freedom

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]things like this.

[00:00:00]>> True. Now, Gita Alutra, I also want to ask you, we've seen such lapses in this case. There is no FIR registered before 3 days of the crime. The crime scene is unsealed. There is no prompt seizure that was made. There is no alleged liature material that was collected.

[00:00:18]Shockingly the presence of Girib Bala Singh her relative who's a medical professional an IG rank police official from the Loka Yukta office Girala Singh along with her sister were present at Bhopal at the time of the first postbottom how is the system supposed to function here Gita >> so um I agree what service you are you've done so far is human service. So this is where I believe journalism comes in where something is being brushed under the carpet. But once the court is seized of the matter then perhaps what one can do is report matters be that gentle >> investigator or gentle >> media being gentle. Why should the media be gentle?

[00:01:17]So I'll I'll explain. The reason is that both victim and accused in law should have a equal playing field. Since it was not an equal playing field and since things were going under the carpet, >> your presence and your actually activism in a sense actually >> but what if I argue what if I argue I put this question to you and to the others Malani that suppose we become gentle suppose we slow down suppose we stop saying that The prime accused is a retired judge. SUPPOSE WE STOP HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT that it is a judge. Then I would be unfair rein to the whole country which is LOOKING AT THIS PRECISELY BECAUSE GIRIBALA IS A RETIRED JUDGE. AND IF THAT MAKES JUDGES AND RETIRED JUDGES UNCOMFORTABLE, SO BE IT. Am I SUPPOSED TO MAKE JUDGES AND EX-JUDGES COMFORTABLE BY BEING GENTLEMEN? Who tells me that that is the WAY I SHOULD DO MY JOB?

[00:02:25]>> So So, so, so Adnab the point that the the honorable Supreme Court was suggesting and in fact they even in a way applauded the role of the media without taking your particular channel in name uh is is the as is the media activism as I always use that phrase which has brought to light the the kind of discrepancies are there in the investigation which has forced the honorable Supreme Court of India to sue Moto take cognizance of the matter and that's how The special hearing was held this morning uh in the Chief Justice's court. What the Supreme Court is suggesting and I'm just trying to tell you the other side of it is without without undermining the role the the the the fantastic job done by the media. One second. Now let me complete.

[00:03:14]The court is trying to say that if you are going to take media bites of the potential witnesses and the and the potential witnesses are supposed to give their statements before the investigating authorities. Now the CBI in case there are any inconsistencies that will hamper the investigation that may act >> wait. What if this what if this this today if there was a single observation from the court >> and I go to swap. If the court had said that we are concerned about the misuse of influence then there was a good chance her anticipatory bail would be denied.

[00:03:58]I'm I'm concerned why the most obvious thing rhythm has not been discussed at all.

[00:04:04]>> The most Not even a comment on it by the court today.

[00:04:09]>> I just I think the question has been asked to me. So let me finish.

[00:04:14]>> Gita, let me finish. The question has been asked to me. Yes.

[00:04:17]>> Uh the media cannot afford to be gentle when there is brutality on the other side in the sense the way the murder or you know whether whatever words you want to use suicide or something otherwise has happened. Uh especially when the fact is that the system has been completely misused. uh the police has been compromised, the uh judiciary has been called up or you know some 4042 phone calls have been made yes to ensure that some anticipatory bail is given or let me point out one uh you you started your preface you know your initial comments with the freedom of the press and let me just point out one very important case and I'm glad that the two gentlemen out here who are the victims are here as A SYMBOLIC PROTEST >> SYMBOLIC PROTEST TONIGHT >> IS BECAUSE in Texas versus Johnson when Gregory Lee Johnson burnt the flag to protest against some policies of the Rean administration. Chief Justice William Ranquist though the majority opinion was given by William Brennan of the United States Supreme Court said that yes this is a symbolic gesture of protest and it is protected by free speech. So let me tell you one thing the reporter must continue of facts. We may not want to infer things. The Supreme Court should have the media. Anra, you have been also