On Friday, the Indian Supreme Court granted bail to senior Telugu journalist Kamineni Srinivasa Rao (KSR), who was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police for controversial remarks made by a guest during a televised debate on Sakshi TV.
A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by KSR challenging his arrest and judicial remand.
Read also: Supreme Court: Railways can levy penalty for misdeclared goods even after delivery under Section 66
Rao, 70, was taken into custody from Hyderabad on June 9 after a panelist on his show "Live with KSR" allegedly made derogatory remarks about the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was alleged by the state that Rao was involved in it by laughing and not objecting to the comments made during the live telecast.
"This case is like Navika or Sardesai…" - Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra remarked.
"Absolutely," - replied senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing KSR.
The bench expressed serious concern over how a journalist can be held liable for statements made by someone else.
"Someone else is making the statement. How can this happen?" - questioned Justice Manmohan.
Read also: Supreme Court Judges and Bar Association Express Deep Condolences on Ahmedabad Plane
"When someone makes an outrageous statement, we laugh at it. They cannot be called co-conspirators," he added.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state, argued that KSR was attempting to "provoke and incite" the panelists by laughing, and that he was not a mere spectator but was part of the same media platform.
"You cannot say that this is the capital of sex workers," Rohatgi insisted.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the state, said KSR should approach the high court, as his bail plea is already pending.
Despite the state's protests, the Supreme Court ordered KSR's release, highlighting the fact that he had not personally made the objectionable remarks and emphasising the need to protect journalistic freedom.
Read also: Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Challenging Andhra Pradesh Mega DSC Teacher Recruitment Exam 2025
"Considering that the petitioner has not made any such statement himself and his journalistic participation in the live TV show must be protected so that in the process freedom of expression is also protected, we direct that the petitioner be released in respect of the FIR," the bench said.
However, the court issued a warning:
"It is made clear that the petitioner shall not indulge in any offensive statement by himself or by allowing anyone else to make such statements in his presence in the show which he is anchoring or hosting."
Case : KOMMINENI SRINIVASA RAO v. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH | W.P.(Crl.) No. 244/2025
