Lawyers-scribes row: Kerala Human Rights Commission orders

The Kerala Human Rights Commission today ordered a probe into registering of cases against journalists, including two women, in connection with the alleged manhandling by advocates at the Vigilance court here on October 14.
Commission acting chairperson P Mohandas issued the direction in this regard to the District Superintendent of Police and ordered the probe to be done by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The case had been registered against four journalists when they were on duty inside the court, on a complaint from a lawyer that they had caused 'simple hurt' to the advocates.

The commission observed that from news reports, it was understood that cases were registered against the journalists without any reasons.
The journalists were allegedly dragged out of the court during hearing of a private petition against former Kerala industries minister Jayarajan on October 14.
Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently said there was no bar on journalists reporting court proceedings and called the action of a section of lawyers obstructing reporting as unacceptable, mediapersons are not allowed in courts in the state.