Patna High Court bars media trial in Bihar tender scam case
Synopsis
The Patna High Court has gagged media from labelling contractor Rishu Shree a 'mastermind' or 'kingpin' while the Bihar tender scam investigation is live. With two IAS officers suspended, ₹11.64 crore seized by the ED, and the SVU still questioning the accused, the order draws a sharp line between reporting facts and running a parallel verdict.
Key Takeaways
The Patna High Court on 26 June issued an interim order barring a media trial in the alleged tender scam case involving contractor Rishu Shree .
The order, passed by Justice Anshul , covers TV channels, newspapers, digital portals, podcasts, video platforms, and social media .
Media are prohibited from using terms such as 'mastermind', 'kingpin', or 'scamster' while the case is pending.
The Bihar government has suspended two IAS officers ; the SVU conducted searches on 19 June .
The Enforcement Directorate seized ₹11.64 crore in cash during PMLA searches in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gujarat .
The next court hearing is scheduled for 10 July ; interim directions remain in force until further orders.
The Patna High Court on 26 June issued an interim order restraining media organisations across all platforms from conducting a media trial in connection with the alleged tender scam case involving Bihar contractor Rishu Shree, currently under investigation by the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU). The order, passed by Justice Anshul, underscores that every accused person holds a paramount Constitutional right to a fair trial — a right the court said cannot be compromised by sensationalist coverage.
What the Court Ordered
The interim directions apply to television channels, newspapers, online news portals, podcasts, video-streaming platforms, and social media platforms. The court specifically prohibited media organisations from portraying Rishu Shree as guilty while the case remains sub judice.
Crucially, the court barred the use of terms such as 'mastermind', 'kingpin', and 'scamster', warning that such characterisations could prejudice ongoing proceedings and undermine the accused's right to a fair trial. The court clarified, however, that balanced, factual, and impartial reporting of case developments may continue.
What Is Prohibited
The High Court explicitly prohibited coverage based on alleged confessions, unverified investigative material, documents not yet tested in court, and information that has not been judicially established. The court observed that irresponsible reporting could potentially influence the judicial process and interfere with the administration of justice.
The interim directions will remain in force until further orders. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on 10 July.
Background: The SVU Investigation
The case came to light after the Special Vigilance Unit registered an FIR alleging irregularities involving contractor Rishu Shree. Following the registration, the Bihar government suspended two IAS officers pending investigation.
On 19 June, the SVU conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the suspended officers and a private contractor in Patna. Investigative agencies are currently questioning Rishu Shree in connection with the matter.
Enforcement Directorate Steps In
The Patna Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) separately initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED conducted searches at locations in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gujarat, during which cash amounting to ₹11.64 crore and various documents were reportedly seized, according to the agency.
Investigators are examining financial records, documents, and digital evidence as part of the ongoing probe. All allegations and findings remain under investigation and have yet to be tested before a court of law.
What Happens Next
The next hearing is scheduled for 10 July, when the court is expected to review the interim directions. The case marks one of the more significant judicial interventions on media conduct in Bihar in recent years, and its outcome could set a precedent for how courts balance press freedom against the right to a fair trial in high-profile investigations.
Point of View
But enforcement against digital and social media platforms remains structurally weak. The Bihar case also exposes a deeper tension: the same agencies whose unverified leaks fuel sensational coverage are the ones whose evidence has not yet been tested in court. Until judicial proceedings and media timelines are better synchronised, these interim gag orders will keep arriving — and keep being selectively observed.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Patna High Court order regarding media coverage of the Bihar tender scam?
The Patna High Court on 26 June issued an interim order restraining print, electronic, digital, and social media platforms from conducting a media trial in the case involving contractor Rishu Shree. The court barred portrayals of guilt and prohibited terms like 'mastermind' and 'kingpin' while the matter remains sub judice.
Who is Rishu Shree and what is the alleged Bihar tender scam?
Rishu Shree is a Bihar-based contractor at the centre of an alleged tender irregularity case being investigated by the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU). The SVU registered an FIR in the matter, leading to the suspension of two IAS officers and searches at multiple premises in Patna on 19 June.
What did the Enforcement Directorate find during its searches?
The Enforcement Directorate, acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), conducted searches in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gujarat. According to the agency, cash amounting to ₹11.64 crore and various documents were seized; the findings are still under investigation.
What kind of reporting is still permitted under the court's interim order?
The Patna High Court clarified that balanced, factual, and impartial reporting of case developments may continue. What is prohibited is coverage based on alleged confessions, unverified investigative material, or documents not yet tested in court.
When is the next hearing in the Patna High Court on this matter?
The case has been listed for further hearing on 10 July. The interim directions issued by the court will remain in force until further orders are passed.
