Supreme Court Pulls Up: “What Kind of Journalist is He?” — The Mahesh Langa Bail Saga
In a case that raises troubling questions about journalistic integrity and financial crime, the Supreme Court of India has issued notices to both the Gujarat government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in response to a bail plea filed by journalist Mahesh Langa. The plea challenges the Gujarat High Court’s earlier decision to deny him bail in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged financial fraud running into crores of rupees.
The matter came up before a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant — the next Chief Justice of India — and Justice Joymallya Bagchi. Justice Kant’s pointed remark during the proceedings echoed far beyond the courtroom:
“What kind of journalist is he?”
The Bench’s Observations
The bench did not mince words. “With all due respect, while there are indeed some very sincere journalists, others ride scooters, claim to be journalists, and everyone knows what they actually do,” Justice Kant observed, hinting at the disturbing phenomenon of individuals exploiting the garb of journalism for personal gain.
Why Kapil Sibal Counted FIRs One After Another
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Langa, defended his client by pointing to the barrage of FIRs filed against him. “First, an FIR comes, and he secures anticipatory bail. Then, another FIR is lodged, and again, he gets anticipatory bail. Now, yet another FIR surfaces — this time on tax evasion. It’s one after the other. What is happening?” he asked.
The bench noted these submissions but remained mindful of the gravity of the allegations, issuing notices to the relevant authorities for their response.
The Charges Against Mahesh Langa
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Mahesh Langa masterminded a financial racket by floating nearly 200 shell companies, laundering large sums of money, and evading taxes. Justice Kant remarked that people are coming forward with accounts and affidavits, indicating the depth and spread of the alleged fraud. The court’s sharp queries underscored that the case is not merely about one journalist but about a systemic abuse of trust and credibility.
High Court’s Earlier Denial of Bail
It is worth noting that on July 31, the Gujarat High Court had denied Langa’s bail plea, observing that granting relief could weaken the prosecution’s case. The ED had formally arrested Langa on February 25, stating that his involvement was central to the money-laundering investigation. Before that, in October 2024, he was arrested in a separate case related to GST fraud.
When journalism becomes a mask for fraud, it ceases to be a profession and turns into a racket. The Fourth Estate is meant to safeguard democracy — not exploit it for personal empires. Unscrupulous journalists erode public faith more dangerously than corrupt politicians or businessmen.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
However, while the allegations against Mahesh Langa are undoubtedly serious — involving financial fraud, money laundering, and multiple FIRs — the principle of natural justice and due process of law must never be overlooked.
As per Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every individual is entitled to a fair trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Courts themselves repeatedly emphasize that allegations, however grave, remain just that — allegations — until substantiated with evidence that stands judicial scrutiny.
It is indeed possible that powerful vested interests could attempt to frame or harass a journalist by entangling him in a series of legal cases. History shows that several journalists, whistleblowers, and activists have faced strategic lawsuits or repeated FIRs aimed at silencing them. The Supreme Court’s own observation that “FIR after FIR is being filed” hints at the possibility of misuse of the system.
That being said, the flip side is that financial fraud and money laundering are serious offences with a wide public impact. If evidence proves the allegations true, then accountability is unavoidable, regardless of one’s profession.
So, two truths run parallel here:
- If guilty → the accused must face the full force of the law.
- If framed → it represents a dangerous misuse of state machinery to stifle journalism.
The judiciary’s role is to carefully balance between not letting an alleged fraud go unchecked and not allowing the misuse of the law to target journalism. Journalists have been killed, assaulted, manhandled, and even framed wrongly
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