HC dismisses contempt charge by Chief Minister

GUWAHATI, February 6: The Gauhati High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by the Assam Chief Minister PK Mahanta alleging that two news items, published in two local dailies, indicating his possible arrest in connection with multi-crore veterinary LoC scam, amounted to contempt. Justice JK Sema held that no contempt was committed by publication of the two news items, appeared in 1997, which indicated that the arrest of the Chief Minister was 'imminent' in connection with the multi-crore veterinary LoC case on which the High Court was already hearing a public interest litigation (PIL). The two local Assamese dailies Dainik Agradoot and Ajir Batori had published news items on December 13, 1997 that the arrest of Mahanta was imminent in the LoC case and a police guest house was being readied for the purpose. Mahanta's advocates AS Bhattacharya and K Paul argued before the Court that the news item was intended to interfere with the administration of justice by the High Court which was already hearing a PIL case in this regard. PC Mahanta, NS Deka, JM Choudhury and P Kotoky appeared on behalf of Kanak Sen Deka, editor and publisher of Dainik Agradoot.