Chennai: The Madras HC has directed Facebook (also the owner of WhatsApp) and YouTube to take steps to block objectionable material containing a scandalous attack, on women in particular, originated from the mobile numbers of two lawyers, that are circulated through WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Passing interim orders on a plea from a group of six women lawyers, including Sudha Ramalingam and Anna Mathew, a Division bench comprising Justices V. Ramasubramanian and K. Ravichandrabaabu restrained advocates W. Peter Ramesh Kumar and Manikandan Vathan from publishing, distributing and circulating any message or material scandalising the institution and every one who is part of it, including women lawyers, in any manner through social networking sites.
The bench said a group of six women lawyers have petitioned the court seeking a protocol for protecting women engaged as part of justice delivery system in various capacities, from scandalous attacks through electronic means of communication.
Two advocates, W. Peter Ramesh Kumar and Manikandan Vathan, are facing disciplinary proceedings before the Bar Council. They have also been prohibited by the council from practicing, pending disciplinary proceedings. Kumar was earlier dealt with by a Full Bench of this court in a contempt petition. Though he was found guilty, the Bench did not punish him, but put him on a warning that his conduct will be watched for one year, the court said.
The Bench said, thereafter, another suo motu contempt was initiated against him by a Division Bench on September 16, 2015. He filed his response to the suo motu contempt petition.
The counter affidavit contained scurrilous imputations against a few judges and women lawyers. Since the contents of the counter affidavit were not published in the print media, he posted the contents of the counter affidavit on his Facebook account.
