HC raps at investigation lapses, trial by media

Kochi, Aug 24 (UNI) A division bench of the Kerala High Court today expressed strong displeasure at the increasing trend of investigation lapses and trial by media in respect of matters which are sub judice.

The bench comprising Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice V Ramkumar said after the seizing of the case by the court it was not open to investigation agency or other busy bodies to give their version of the crime.

The court warned that lapses in this regard would be viewed seriously and the erring police officers and media persons would be proceeded against appropriately.

When superior police officers indulge in freely passing information to the media, it would put undue pressure on subordinate officers. The media does not seem to realise the irresponsible damage to the victims, the court observed.

Trial by media can do more harm than good to the society. If finally court records order of acquittal for want of legal evidence, it may not be out of place for the public to conclude that the verdict was wrong.

They may attribute motives to the presiding judge, the court added.

The division bench made the remarks while ordering retrial of a rape and murder case by a fast track sessions court at Manjery. The sessions court had sentenced the accused Poothala Aboobacker Babu to death sentence. He was found guilty of abducting a minor girl Hyrunnissa on her way to school on September eight, 2004 at Kondotty.

The High Court set aside the conviction and sentence and remitted the case to sessions court finding that sessions judge was more influenced by extraneous considerations than proved circumstances and the judge was influenced by the sensationalism played by the media.

UNI XR ARC JJ RN2147