Gag on Media? Court closes trial of gangrape to reporters

, Jan 9: Media houses are not very happy at the way they have been debarred from following the trial of Delhi gangrape case.

In fact, a trial court on Monday, Jan 7 stopped media from publishing the proceedings of the trial of brutal gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus by six rapists on Dec 16, 2012. The court has directed that the hearings be held in camera.

"I am invoking section 327 (2)(iii) of CrPC. Hence, all public persons and everybody present are directed to vacate the courtroom. It shall not be lawful to print or publish any matter or content in this case except with the permission of this court," Metropolitan Magistrate Namrita Aggarwal said.

Many have expressed their displeasure and said the judge overseeing the trial has denied transparency to all Indians who are demanding justice for the gangrape victim. In fact, journalists were allowed to cover the trial of the accused of Mumbai Terror Attacks 2008. "Then why so much of secrecy to the gangrape case?" questioned a journalist.

The Court's directions came after Delhi Police moved an application seeking the restrictions of trial to journalists through the invocation of Section 327(2)(3) of CrPC.

The court said, "An unprecedented situation has arisen where the members of the bar and public persons even unconnected with the case have started converging in the courtroom where the matter is going on, since 12 noon. The courtroom has become jam-packed with lots of disturbance created from different nooks and corners."

"...So the accused, who were brought from Tihar Jail...were not produced from custody. The public prosecutor has submitted that there is apprehension to safety of under trial prisoners. He has also filed an application for invocation of 327 (2)(iii)."

OneIndia News