CPM seeks action against media in TP Chandrasekharan murder case

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KOCHI: The CPM Kozhikode district committee has approached the Kerala High Court seeking contempt of court proceedings against a section of media houses for publishing and telecasting details of investigation into the T P Chandrasekharan murder case.
In a petition filed before the High Court on Wednesday, the CPM Kozhikode district secretary T P Ramakrishanan pointed out that “the visual media and the press are wilfully disobeying the High Court order and it would amount to civil contempt.” The petitioner submitted that the High Court, while considering the Sampath custodial death case had issued a directive not to disclose the details of an ongoing probe. “The HC had held that once a case has been registered and the FIR forwarded to the Magistrate Court, the matter is sub-judice and no police officer can leak out the information regarding the course and outcome of the probe.”
The court had cautioned the police that investigating officers should be aware of this and they along with the media will have to face action in the event of a breach. The CPM is not against the investigation, but the visual and print media have twisted stories and portrayed that the party was behind the murder, the petitioner contended. It was submitted that the police and the media are blatantly violating the court order. The petitioner further pointed out that due to political vendetta and to get political mileage, rival parties are trying to malign the CPM and its workers.
The petitioner sought contempt proceedings against Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi and Mangalam dailies and Indiavision, Reporter TV, Manorama News and Asianet News channels.The petitioner also sought proceedings against DGP Jacob Punnoose and ADGP Vinson M Paul.