‘Order restricting publication of advocates’ names is advisory’

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan while dismissing a plea moved by two journalists challenging the order, said, “Senior counsel for the petitioners seeks to withdraw the writ petition as the administrative order is in pursuance to the judgment of the division bench of this court, in the given facts of the case, with the objective of discouraging persons filing Public Interest Litigations for publicity. The administrative order is advisory in nature.” 

Justices Nooty Ramamohana Rao and SS Sundar sought the media not to publish or broadcast names of lawyers while reporting court news since, in the opinion of the court, it would amount to indirect advertisement of their professional capabilities. The bench had made the observation while dismissing a PIL seeking to compensate the five Dalit children who had been booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. It may be noted that the District Child Welfare Committee had concluded that the case against Dalit children was a fabricated one and the FIR was registered under pressure from a caste Hindu.