Katju said "there have been several critical comments about the same (order). In my opinion, it is a balanced judgment which I agree with."
"Ordinarily, there should be freedom for the media to report court proceedings because it is through the media that the people get to know about the functioning of the courts", he said.
"However, no rule can be absolute or rigid....While ordinarily there should be freedom to the media to report court proceedings, in exceptional circumstances....The court has always power to prevent such reporting so that justice may be done", Katju said.
In fact, this was the law even before the aforesaid judgment of the Supreme Court because the court has always this power because the judge has to do justice and prevent prejudice to a party if caused by reporting court proceedings, he said.
In fact, in-camera proceedings in exceptional cases are sometimes resorted to, he added. PTI
PAL