Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabirtoday expressed grave concern over growing practise of "mediatrial" and said it could prejudice against the accused.
"(Media trial) it is a matter of grave concern. Thisshould not happen," Kabir told reporters on the sidelines ofEast Zone Regional Judicial Conference on 'Administration ofCriminal Justice: Issues and Challenges' here.
"It (media trial) can prejudice against an accused in acase," he said.
"The issue should be left to the courts to decide," theCJI added.
In reply to a question on reducing the age of juvenilefrom exisiting 18 years to 16, the demand for which came fromdifferent corners in view of involvement of a juvenile inDelhi gangarape case, Kabir said, "It can be only done byParliament and nobody else can do it."
On the issue of witness protection, the CJI said thereshould be proper protection for witnesses.
"Witness protection should be there," he said.
Asked if he was satisfied with the level of witnessprotection now, Kabir said it should be more developed.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Kabir said the conceptof witness protection in the country was almost not available.
"There is not even proper sitting arrangement for witnessin courts...we are not providing even minimum facilities towitnesses," he said.
The three-day conference organised by Patna High CourtBihar Judicial Acadey and National Judicial Academy wasinaugurated here yesterday.