Media-lawyers stand-off raised by ministers in CJI's presence

The ongoing stand-off between lawyers and journalists in Kerala found its echo at functions attended by Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur here today with two state ministers underscoring the need for the pillars of democracy to function in coherence along with media.

Speaking at the function attended by Justice Thakur and several other Supreme Court and Kerala High Court judges, PWD Minister G Sudhakaran expressed his dismay at the absence of media in covering functions of the judiciary.

"Why is the media not seen in such a function? This should be examined. If they haven't been able to come, then the reason should be probed," he said at the function to inaugurate the new district court complex here.
 

Noting that judiciary can function well with the support of the executive, the minister said all the three pillars of the democracy--judiciary, executive and the legislature-- function in coherence along with the media to ensure social and national security.

Law Minister A K Balan said good governance was possible when judiciary, executive, legislature and the media work together, understanding their responsibilities and take their stance accordingly.

Only then there will be peace in the functioning of courts, he said at another function organised to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala High Court.

On the stand-off, he said there were two cases, one of media activism and other of media not being allowed to enter the courts. The courts were supposed to be impartial and neutral and so was the media.

Besides Justice Thakur, his Supreme Court colleagues Justice J Chelameswar, Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Ashok Bhushan were among those present on the dais in the two functions.

Media personnel are not being allowed to cover high court and other court proceedings in the state since July 19 after a group of lawyers chased them away, angered over a media report about a government pleader allegedly misbehaving with a woman.