The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, who was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Police for allegedly airing a television show in which derogatory remarks were made against the greenfield capital city, Amaravati.
A partial working day bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan passed the order on a plea filed by 70-year-old Rao challenging his arrest. He was taken into custody on June 9 from Hyderabad, days after hosting a show on June 6 where one of the panellists reportedly made controversial comments about Amaravati.
The apex court observed that Rao had not personally made the offending remarks and emphasized the importance of protecting journalistic freedoms. “The petitioner himself did not make the statement on the live TV show and his journalistic rights need to be protected so that his freedom of speech is also protected,” the bench noted.
While directing that Rao be released on bail, the court stated that the release would be subject to conditions imposed by the trial court. It also cautioned Rao against making or permitting any further derogatory remarks on his shows.
“The petitioner be released in the FIR subject to conditions imposed by the trial court,” the court ordered, highlighting the need to safeguard fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution concerning freedom of speech and expression.
Rao, a veteran journalist, was arrested in connection with an FIR lodged by the Andhra Pradesh Police, who claimed that the programme hosted by him had featured defamatory statements about the Amaravati capital project.
