
Fri May 30 08:15:07 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of “scandalous, contemptuous and defamatory” remarks made by Ajay Shukla, editor-in-chief of Varprad Media Pvt Ltd, via his YouTube channel, about Justice Bela M. Trivedi. The court has deemed the remarks as bringing the institution into disrepute and a violation of reasonable restrictions on free speech. They ordered the immediate takedown of the social media post and issued a notice to Mr. Shukla, scheduling a contempt case hearing after the court vacations in July.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Defamatory YouTube Remarks Against Judge**
**NEW DELHI (May 30, 2025)** – The Supreme Court of India has initiated a suo motu contempt case against Ajay Shukla, editor-in-chief of Varprad Media Pvt Ltd, following “scandalous, contemptuous and defamatory” remarks he allegedly made on his YouTube channel about Justice Bela M. Trivedi.
A three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and including A.G. Masih and A.S. Chandurkar, issued a short order stating that Mr. Shukla’s comments brought the institution of the judiciary into disrepute. The Chief Justice emphasized that while freedom of speech is protected, it is subject to reasonable restrictions and that making defamatory and contemptuous statements about a sitting Supreme Court judge cannot be justified under the guise of free expression.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta were present during the proceedings. Mr. Mehta described the comments as “grave in nature” and supported the court’s decision to take action, suggesting the additional description of “defamatory and contemptuous.”
The court has ordered the immediate takedown of the social media post containing the remarks. The video in question was posted on Mr. Shukla’s YouTube channel and concerned Justice Trivedi, who is scheduled to retire on June 9.
The court has issued a notice to Mr. Shukla, who is the editor-in-chief of a digital channel hosted on YouTube. A hearing for the suo motu contempt case has been scheduled after the court’s vacations, likely in July.