Exclusive: Jethmalani flays media
The media can’t be allowed to be the judge, says criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who is defending Manu Sharma, the main accused in the Jessica Lall murder case. “You (the media) are not the repositories of the citizens of India,” he tells CNN-IBN’s Sagarika Ghose in an exclusive interview.
Sagarika Ghose: In defending Manu Sharma, are you in some sense defending or attempting to defend the indefensible?
Ram Jethmalani: Who the hell is the Press to decide who is indefensible? Courts decide that. And they decide that after hearing the lawyers; and the lawyer’s duty is to assist the court to arrive at a conclusion. The Press has no right in trying to determine this issue. The Press in trying to determinate and declaring it to the people is guilty of the highest form of contempt.
"Who the hell is the Press to deicide who is indefensible?... I am a great lover of the Press and a great lover of the freedom of speech and expression. But please recognise your limits." |
Every case is indefensible—how do you know? Who the hell are you to decide and I want to know. And I want to ask the proprietors who are running this show – what right have they? Have they the means of deciding? Have they heard the witnesses? Have they read the evidence?
Sagarika Ghose: But sir, aren’t you worried that you are going against the tide of public opinion?
Ram Jethmalani: I am not worried at all. It is my duty. I will be worried if lawyers of this country decided not to defend people. You don’t know the rule of the law, you don’t know democracy; you don’t know anything.
| Related Ads: | |




















Read Comment | Post Comment
For the first time in my life, I have absolute loathing for the media of this country, that seems to
Read Comment
Instead asking all those questions. Sagarika should have asked Mr. Jethmalani that how much money he received from his client.
Read Comment
I don`t understand how the media owners can decide, who is guilty. They are pronouncing someone as guilty even before
Read Comment
Well, When ppl like Laloo and Rabri are acquitted, what's wrong in speaking against the way the judiciary or the
Read Comment
I am wondering why there is so much focus on Ram Jathmalani. He is a lawyer and have every right
Read Comment
Read more comment »