The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the media to exercise caution in reporting or telecasting matters, relating to the twin murder involving teenager Arushi and her domestic help Hemraj.

A bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Markandeya Katju directed that the media report the issue with objectivity so as not to cause any prejudice to the reputation of anyone.

The bench order came while posting for August 18, a public interest petition filed by Dr Surat Singh, a practising advocate, seeking a series of directions to protect the reputation of the Arushi Talwar’s family.

He alleged the family’s reputation has been maligned by the media and the police; and sough action against investigators keeping the teenager’s father in 50 days’ custody. The petition alleged that the media had maligned the sacred father-daughter relations.

The petitioner also sought a direction for setting up a five-judge “criminal justice system reforms committee” to inquire as to “why an innocent person was allowed to rot in police custody for 50 days because of bungling and mishandling” by investigation agencies. The petition submitted that the media and the investigating agency had indulged in character assassination of the dead girl.