SUNIL MATHEW Vs. STATION HOUSE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner challenges one of the conditions imposed upon him while granting anticipatory bail.

(2.) The Supreme Head of the Believers Church - Sri. K.P. Yohannan alias Moran Mar Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan is alleged to have died in an accident during a visit to the United States of America. Petitioner who claims to be the Managing Editor of a YouTube news channel called 'i2i News' alleges that he, as a professional journalist, obtained information during his investigative journalism that there was foul play behind the death of the Bishop and filed complaints before the State Police Chief with all good faith. A petition dtd. 28/5/2024 has been submitted by the petitioner before the State Police Chief.

(3.) In the meantime, a complaint was filed by another Bishop of the Believers Church, alleging that on 9/5/2024 and 21/5/2024, the second accused had aired false news through his news channel - the first accused, stating that the death of the Bishop was not accidental but was the result of a planned murder. It was also alleged that the third accused demanded advertisements on the news channel failing which the accused threatened the Church of publishing such false news which would have a tendency to create division among the Church members.