Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday termed unconstitutional the order of the Karunagappally sub-court against publishing news reports related to financial dealings in Dubai by Sreejith, son of N. Vijayan Pillai MLA. The single bench also stayed it until disposing of a petition challenging the sub-court order. The High Court which accepted the petition ordered notices to respondents. The sub-court had barred publication of news and statements and discussions on TV on a petition by Rakul Krishnan against Mr Sreejith in Chavara police station and the private petitions filed in Mavelikara and Chengannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Courts.
The second respondent in the petition filed by Mr Sreejith approached the High Court against the order. Mr Krishna had moved the Chengannur JFMC saying a cheque for Rs 10 crore Mr Sreejith issued in connection with the financial dealings in the UAE had bounced as the account was not existing. Later he approached the Chavara police and Mavelikkara JFMC.
When reports about this came out, Mr Sreejith moved the sub-court with a plea to restrain media from publishing reports and also claiming Rs 25 lakh in damages. The sub-court issued the gag order. The petitioner in the High Court contended that the lower court did not have the jurisdiction to restrain media as per civil and criminal procedures and only High Court and Supreme Court have powers on the same.
