Associated Press recently put out a delightful story on how the US media piled on Judge Larry Seidlin for ‘making a mockery of the system of justice.’ His sin? He wept, no sobbed, as he announced a ruling in the dispute over where former Playboy cover girl Anna Nicole Smith should be buried.
Among the various things, Seidlin was called were these too: ‘Weepy Wacko’ (New York Post), Blubbering Seidlin (Daily News). But the media has not criticised his ruling. He said custody of Smith’s body go to the court-appointed lawyer representing her 5-month-old baby.
Can such a thing happen in India? Never. Not in my lifetime. Here the line that divides what constitutes contempt of court and what’s somebody’s considered opinion is thin. So, no way can the Indian media dream of lampooning any Indian judge whatever his court be. But then, the media here is still in its diapers. They can at best look at buttonholing a few retired Supreme Court lawyers but judges? Holy mother, no!
