Kerala: Media persons dragged out of court during hearing against EP Jayarajan

Thiruvananthapuram: Media persons, who assembled to cover proceedings at a Vigilance Court in Trivandrum on Friday with regard to a petition against Industries Minister EP Jayarajan on the appointment row, were allegedly dragged out of the court room by a section of lawyers in the presence of the judge.

The lawyers also allegedly threatened the media persons with dire consequences.

The incident occurred in the presence of Vigilance Judge A Badaruddin and senior advocates who were present when the private petition came up for hearing.

The incident comes just three days after Kerala High Court Chief Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar had assured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that media would not be prevented from covering court proceedings.

A lawyer also allegedly slapped a reporter and punched him.

Two women reporters were later escorted out of the court complex by women police personnel.

On seeing the commotion, the judge intervened saying there should not be any problem inside the court room.

A Special Vigilance Court had on Thursday ordered Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to file its reply by Friday on alleged appointments of relatives by Jayarajan to key state PSU posts.

The complaint in the Special Vigilance court had sought filing of FIR and registration of case against Jayarajan.

The complainant contended that nepotism amounted to corruption. It also wanted registration of a case under Prevention of Corruption Act against the minister.

Besides the complaint at the court, other petitions including that of Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP leader V Muraleedharan seeking filing of FIR and registering a case against Jayarajan are pending before the court.