Journo-lawyer stand off: Ker CM warns of stern action

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today told the state assembly that stringent action would be taken against those who obstruct mediapersons from covering court proceedings.
Replying to a submission on the 'ban' on mediapersons from covering court proceedings, he said there was no justification for continuing the obstruction by a section of lawyers.
"It is unfortunate that the issue is still continuing. A section of lawyers are behind this," he said.
Vijayan also brought to the notice of the House the initiative taken by Kerala High Court Chief Justice to end the stand off between a section of lawyers and mediapersons and said a clear possibility had emerged to solve the issue due to the intervention of the CJ.

But, a section of people (lawyers) felt that it was not applicable to them, the Chief Minister said referring to the manhandling of four journalists, including two women, at the Vigilance Court here on October 14.
"If the obstruction continues, stern action will be taken," he said.

Raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala (Congress) demanded withdrawal of the case against journalists filed on a complaint by an advocate in connection with the incident at the Vigilance court.
He said journalists were not able to report court proceedings in Kerala even after an assurance given by the Chief Minister.

It amounted to curbing the freedom of press, Chennithala alleged.