Kerala lawyer-media tussle: HC seeks more time from SC to resolve issue

The Kerala High Court on Friday told the Supreme Court that there was no ban on the entry of media persons in any court in the state.

According to reports, the submission was made when the apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) over restrictions in entering court premises, in the wake of continuing tensions between media persons and lawyers.

In their petition, the union had pointed out that the issue was not resolved despite giving complaints to the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.

The Kerala High Court asked for four weeks’ time to resolve the crisis, assuring that efforts were being made to sort out the differences. However, a bench comprising Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and UU Lalith posted the case for November 7th.

Saying that journalists have been entering the High Court since Monday, advocate Giri on behalf of registrar of the Kerala High Court, told the apex court that there were practical difficulties in re-opening the media room at the HC.

The KUWJ approached the apex court on October 5, seeking to re-open the media room at the High Court which was shut following attacks on journalists on July 19.  

Despite assurances from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take measures to resolve the issue, four journalists including two women journalists, were roughed up inside Vanchiyoor court premises in Thiruvananthapuram on October 14.