Bangalore: Karnataka High Court on January 8, adjourned to January 22 the hearing of the contempt of court cases initiated suo moto by it against 52 persons from 14 publications for publishing news pertaining to the alleged Mysore resort sex scandal involving some judges.

The full Bench of the court comprised of justice T S Thakur, H L Duttu and V G Sabhahit gave two weeks time to the counsels of 48 respondents to file their replies by January 22.

Four respondents from ‘Outlook’ magazine did not attend as the notices were yet to be served on them.

The Bench made it clear that if replies were not filed by the next date of hearing, no further opportunity will be given.

Justice Thakur observed that some of the respondents have also filed applications seeking exemption from personal appearance on the ground of ill health and some concerned are required to travel to the city from outside.

He ruled that the Bench was not passing any order on these requests, but will consider them when the case come up for next hearing.

Justice Thakur also observed that the court did not want those who come from outside the state travel every time, but those in the city and in Mysore could be present.

The Bench however granted exemption from personal appearance to four persons – editor of ‘The Week’, Mammon Mathew, publisher of ‘The Week’, Jacob Mathew, to whom the notices were served only on January 4, publisher of ‘The Hindu’ S Rangarajan and publisher of the ‘Lankesh Patrike’, P L Indrajit for January 8.

The Bench ordered issue of fresh notices to the ‘Outlook Magazine’ through the Karnataka director general of police (DGP).

The state DGP through his counterpart in Delhi should serve the notice on the magazine at its Delhi address, it directed.

The city police has returned the notices stating that it could not be served as the magazine has vacated its office here.

Taking on record the amendments prayed by some counsels for the respondents on deletion and substitution of names, the bench directed that the cause title be redrawn and the copies given to all the respondents.

Editors, printers, publishers and reporters against whom the court had issued notices directing them to appear in person were present.

The Bench on the direction of the Karnataka high court chief justice, N K Jain on December 5 had issued suo moto contempt of court notices to 52 persons from 14 publications.

The Supreme Court has set up a three-judge committee headed by Bombay High Court chief justice C K Thakker to probe the alleged incident.

The committee after holding two sittings concluded its enquiry on January 4 and was expected to submit its report to the Supreme Court chief justice V N Khare.

PTI