Kerala High Court Accepts Apology By Editor Of Deepika Daily Over Misreported Order On Digital Survey, Directs Publication Of Correction

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. were hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer and Congress politician Shaji J. Kodankandath.

The Court has earlier directed the editor of Deepika Daily to give an explanation for reporting that the Court directed to conduct an enquiry regarding the purchase of digital survey equipment when no such order was passed.

The Registrar General of the High Court had earlier received a letter addressed by CPI MLA and Minister for Revenue and Housing of Kerala K. Rajan raising a grievance regarding statements made by Kodankandath at a press conference and reported in Deepika with a headline, which translates to “High Court directed to conduct enquiry regarding the purchase of digital survey equipment.”

Today, the Editor appeared before the Court and filed an affidavit explaining the circumstances that led to the erroneous publication. According to paragraph 7 of the affidavit, the impugned news item was based on a press release received by the newspaper. The Editor stated that the report was prepared and the headline framed on the basis of a reporter's submission derived from that release, without independently verifying the contents of the Court's interim order.

It was further submitted that steps have already been initiated to publish a corrected version of the news item.

While examining the affidavit filed by the petitioner, the Court noted that the petitioner has stated that he had not made any statements to the effect that the Court has directed to conduct an enquiry regarding the purchase of digital survey equipment.

“It has not been disowned at this stage that the press release was not circulated to the reporters..” Court added

The Court thus directed the petitioner to publish an apology in the Deepika Daily.

“On an undertaking that the petitioner shall publish an apology and admit the mistake to be published in the Deepika Daily within a week from the ..We keep the writ petition alive and we may hear it on merits subject to that publication being made to the satisfaction of this Court.” Court ordered.

The Court has also accepted the apology issued by the Editor of the Daily. It directed that the apology and the correct version of the news item be published in Deepika Daily within one week.

“We accept the apology tendered by the editor and we direct the editor to publish the correct version of the news item along with the apology in the said newspaper within a week.” Court noted

The personal presence of the Editor was dispensed with for the time being. The matter has been listed for further hearing after one week, by which time the writ petitioner is required to file an affidavit confirming compliance with the Court's directions.

Case Title: Shaji J. Kodankandath v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(PIL) No. 37/2026

Counsel For Petitioner: K.B. Gangesh, Smitha Chathanarambath, Harisankar.K.V, Athira A. Menon

Counsel for Respondents: B. Vinitha (Sr.GP)