After three separate incidents of clashes between lawyers and journalists in Kerala, a judicial commission may be constituted for enquiring into the issue.
On Wednesday, violence broke out in the premises of the Kerala High court with lawyers demanding that journalists leave the court. Sloganeering and stone pelting ensued as the situation went from bad to worse.
Lawyers targeted media for reporting on a government pleader who had been arrested last Thursday for allegedly molesting a woman in a city lane. However, the next day, the victim deposed before the magistrate that it was a case of mistaken identity.
The Advocates association in the Kerala High Court has decided to take action against 8 lawyers who created ruckus on Wednesday.
The Advocate General told the media that in a meeting of the association and after consultations with the government, it has been decided that a judicial commission will be appointed to probe the issue.
On Thursday, a group of lawyers locked the media centre in the Vanchiyoor court in Thiruvananthapuram and pasted abusive posters outside. Lawyers also pelted stones on media persons leading to protests.
Two judges of the Kerala High Court travelled to Thiruvananthapuram on Friday morning to ascertain the situation. The judges travelled from Kochi to Kerala following instructions from the Supreme Court. After morning meetings with advocates, the judges will record the versions of journalists and others.