HC closes contempt proceedings against daily

The Madras High Court today closed the suo motu contempt proceedings it had initiated against Tamil edition of 'The Hindu' over an article regarding the court's observations in a habeas corpus petition, accepting the 'unconditional apology' published by the daily.
"...We find it reasonable to close this suo-moto contempt proceeding. Accordingly, this suo-moto contempt petition is closed as no further action is required," a bench comprising Justices S Tamilvanan and C T Selvam said.
The bench appreciated the gesture by the daily's Publisher N Ram and former Editor-in-Chief N Ravi, the latter appeared in the court today, in informing that they have given suitable instructions to all reporters of the daily to properly report news on court proceedings.

Editor of the daily K.Asokan has also filed an affidavit stating that an unconditional apology had been published.
It was also submitted by senior counsel P S Raman for the respondents that there was no intention for the alleged contemnors to disrespect the judiciary or this Court.
The court had on July 23 initiated suo motu proceedings against the daily and ordered issue of contempt notice over an article published by the daily on July 13 regarding its observations made during hearing of a habeas corpus petition.
On behalf of Ram, an affidavit was filed stating that he was abroad as per previous engagements and hence sought time to appear on August 24.