Division Bench consisting of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Mohammed Yousuf Wani took cognizance of the item published by “The Hindu” newspaper carrying headline “NIA, Habeas Corpus cases shifted from Justice Atul Sreedharan-headed double bench in J&K; Judge goes on leave”.

The Division Bench after going through the material  placed by the Registrar General of the High Court observed that the “social media post and the newspaper , Whereby it was alleged that the roster was shifted in the midway from the bench, headed by one of us  (Atul Sreedharan – J) was false, malicious and contemptuous as same amounts to interference in the administration of the justice”.

The court further observed that “this court is also disturbed by the incorrect factual aspect given in the social media post and also in the newspaper that one of us (Atul Sreedharan – J)  had gone on leave on account of change in roster, which is patently untrue as the judge had taken a casual leave on 2.9.2024 on account of medical reasons. This misrepresentation, thus, not only misleads the public but also damages trust in the judiciary. The reason given in the social media post as to why one of us (Atul Shreedar – J) had gone on leave, gives an impression that the said judge went on protest leave against the change in roaster. This also gives an impression that the said judge is interested in getting certain cases of a particular type listed before him and decided. Such is a wrong and probable inference which flows from the article in the social media and also as publish in the newspaper of the Hindu.

Division Bench as such directed that the matter be placed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice (Acting) to consider whether this matter should be placed before an appropriate bench for initiation of criminal contempt against the publishers.