New Delhi: In a major relief to newspapers and journalists, the Supreme Court today (November 18) stayed the contempt proceedings initiated by the Karantaka High Court against the mediapersons for linking three judges of that court to a Mysore sex scandal allegedly without any basis.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare, Justice S B Sinha and Justice AR Lakshmanan directed stay of the Suo Motu contempt proceedings initiated by the High Court after hearing brief arguments from Amicus Curiae F S Nariman and counsel for journalists Anil Divan and P H Parekh.

The application filed by journalists and newspapers pointed out that the High Court was going ahead with the contempt proceedings despite the Apex Court's view that the "matter should gracefully come to an end".

It pointed out that though the Apex Court on October 6 felt that the matter needed to be given a quietus, on the same day notice was given on behalf of Justice N S Veerabhadriah, one of the three Judges, to several newspapers claiming damages of Rs One crore for defamation.

Nariman said that the Judge has filed nine defamation suits against newspapers claiming damages on the ground that his name was linked to the scandal without any basis.

A committee of senior Judges appointed by the Chief Justice of India had earlier given a clean chit to the three High Court Judges after conducting a detailed inquiry into the matter.

PTI