After Advocates' Association Request, Kerala High Court Drops Proposal To Reopen 'Media Room' In Its Premises

The Kerala High Court has decided to drop the proposal to reopen the Media Room inside the Court for media briefings after the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) unanimously decided in its General Body meeting to request not to proceed with the same.The decision to close down the Media Room was taken following several incidents of physical altercations between lawyers and media personnels that occurred in July 2016. It has been reported that one advocate was injured when the media personnel pelted stones near the Chamber Complex of the High Court while protesting.It is stated in the KHCAA General Body meeting decision that after these incidents, an inquiry was conducted by the Government through the P.A. Mohammed Commission and several criminal cases were registered against advocates. Certain proceedings were also initiated before the High Court and the Supreme Court, it is mentioned."The members of the Bar continue to harbour serious grievances in connection with the brutal attack perpetrated against advocates by certain media personnel during the earlier incident. The concerns arising therefrom remain unresolved. It is also noted with concern that, to date, no expression of regret has been forthcoming from the side of the aggressors. In the absence of any meaningful resolution of these issues, and considering the necessity to address and pacify the deeply affected sentiments of the members of the Bar, the General Body has unanimously resolved to request that the present proposal may not be proceeded with," the KHCAA had stated.In 2016 itself, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists had moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Registrar of Kerala High Court to open media rooms attached to the high court and other courts in Kerala with immediate effect. However, the Apex Court had declined to interfere in the plea and asked the Union to approach the High Court itself.Click to Read/Download NoticeClick to Read/Download KHCAA General Body Decision

After Advocates' Association Request, Kerala High Court Drops Proposal To Reopen 'Media Room' In Its Premises

K. Salma Jennath

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