Supreme Court Warns of Contempt Proceedings Over False Reporting

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has issued a firm warning to media organisations and individuals against publishing or disseminating false, misleading, or unverified reports concerning the country’s highest court. Any such conduct in the future, the Court has cautioned, will attract legal consequences under contempt of court proceedings.

The warning was conveyed through an official notification signed by the Registrar General of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui, and released on Monday via the Court’s official website. The notice underscores the importance of professional responsibility, accuracy, and objectivity in reporting matters related to the judiciary.

Titled “On the Publication of Objective and Accurate News on the Supreme Court in Accordance with Professional Standards”, the notification expresses serious concern over recent media reports that the Court describes as wholly untrue and deeply regrettable. According to the Supreme Court, several media outlets — including television channels through scrolling headlines — circulated claims suggesting that a senior judge of the Appellate Division had gone on leave in protest over the appointment of the Chief Justice in violation of seniority. Similarly, reports alleged that a High Court Division judge had withdrawn from judicial duties after being denied bench allocation.

The Supreme Court categorically refuted these claims, stating that they are entirely baseless and misleading. The Court warned that such irresponsible reporting fosters public misunderstanding about the functioning of the judiciary, undermines confidence in the judicial system, and damages the dignity and institutional integrity of the Supreme Court.

The notification further emphasised that presenting false or distorted information about the nation’s highest court constitutes contempt of court under the law. The Court noted that this situation could have been avoided had journalists and editors verified the information with the Supreme Court Registry prior to publication.

Clarifying the actual circumstances, the Supreme Court stated that Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division had taken leave due to his mother’s illness. Meanwhile, Justice Farid Ahmed of the High Court Division has been unable to perform judicial duties temporarily as he is currently hospitalised owing to health complications. The Court stressed that these personal and medical matters bear no connection whatsoever to the rumours circulated in the media.

Clarification of Reported Issues

In the concluding section of the notice, the Supreme Court formally directed all media professionals to verify the authenticity and factual accuracy of any Supreme Court-related news with the designated Media Focal Person or the Office of the Registrar General before publication or broadcast. Failure to do so in the future, the Court reiterated, will compel the initiation of lawful contempt proceedings against the responsible individuals or organisations.

The Supreme Court expressed its expectation that the media will uphold ethical journalism and contribute responsibly to preserving public trust in the judiciary.