KOCHI: Advocate-General K P Dandapani submitted before the Kerala High Court that there was a need to impose restrictions on the media from reporting the open court proceedings and the opinion expressed by the judges while hearing cases.
The AG made the submission following the court directive to express his views on regulating reporting of open court proceedings by the media. A Division Bench comprising Justice K T Sankaran and Justice P D Rajan initiated proceedings in this regard. The bench had observed that the reports made by a section of media based on the court’s observations on the medical admission to the self-financing colleges case were not true.
The AG pointed out that there will be an open discussion by the bench and the bar for finalising an issue while considering a petition. It should not be allowed to be reported. However there is nothing wrong in reporting judgments.
The Bar Council of Kerala also submitted that reporting of open court observations should be restricted.
Kerala High Court Advocates Association president S P Chali submitted that the view of the association will be intimated after convening a general meeting to discuss the issue with advocates to form a final opinion.
Advocate Basil Attipetty who moved an impleading petition submitted that restriction should not be imposed on court reporting. Media is the ear, mouth and face of the public, he submitted.
Meanwhile, advocate B H Mansoor appearing for the petitioner in the self-financing case informed that he had relinquished the Vakkalath and the petitioner in the case has obtained admission in merit quota.