Media vs Lawyers: Court restrains ‘Mathrubhumi’ channel from telecasting programme which allegedly defames Lawyers

In a latest development in Lawyers vs. Media tussle in Kerala, the Munsiff Court, Thiruvananthapuram, in a suit filed by an Advocate, has restrained ‘Mathrubhumi News’ channel from re-telecasting its satire program ‘Vakradrishti’.

Advocate G. Muraleedharan, aggrieved by the visuals in ‘Vakradrishti’, which compared him with Vettichira Dimonis, an Iconic comedy character played by actor Jagathy Sreekumar in a Malayalam movie in which the said character represents an imprudent local goon, had filed the Suit before the Munsiff Court.

His stated in his affidavit: “Vettichira Dimonis an Iconic comedy character played by actor Jagathy Sreekumar in a Malayalam movie named Aardhram. The said character represents an imprudent local goon. The defendants showed the videos captured as stated earlier of me and compared me with the said character and on back ground gave the voice-over of the said movie. “

The Advocate said that the telecast of program tarnished his image as well as that of his family. “It made bad impression to the seniors of the profession as well as bench and the Bar. It will badly affect my future career. My image with subordinates, juniors etc. is tarnished, me and my family became tarnished in the society. My small children mottled as the children of a goon father. My wife sustained grievous injuries as her husband dappled as a goonda, “ he stated in his Affidavit.

The Munsiff Court, has issued the following order: “Heard. Perused the records. Petitioner has made out a prima facie case. Delay in serving notice will defeat the purpose. Thus respondents are restrained by an ad-interim order from re-telecasting the contents in item No.1 of petition schedule. Comply proviso to Rule 3 of Order 39. Issue U/N. Serve copy of order with copy of item No.1 of petition schedule. For R/N”

He has also sought compensation of Rs. 50,000 and also an unconditional apology from the Mathrubhumi Channel.

Read the petition here.