This refers to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa’s detailed response to criticism of her handling of the Sankararaman murder case. While the statement is logical and staunchly defends the police, it offers no explanation on how a videotape containing the conversation of the Kanchi Acharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, in police custody, was leaked. Is not the airing of the tape in a television channel a major investigation lapse?
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That the Government wants the media to be honest in their reports is fair enough. But why was it silent when sections of the media themselves loose on Sri Jayendra? Surely, a similar statement urging restraint could have been release two months ago? Also, just as the police can arrest persons involved in the crime as it unfolds, the accused too has the right to seek legal redress by filing petitions for bail. How can this amount to “stalling the investigation?” As for the upholding the majesty of law, is it not the Government’s duty to ensure secrecy until a charge sheet is filed? How did the video tape find its way to the studios of a television channel?
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The majesty of law will prevail on its own. It does not require the support or sympathy of anyone.
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We have been observing the ceaseless media coverage of the murder case that has been attracting extraordinary attention from the Tamil Nadu Government and related agencies. What is puzzling is the fact that a revered Hindu religious leader is being chased with charge after charge and a hoary institution has been brought practically to a standstill, yet the devotees of the Kanchi math are watching helplessly.
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