HC to pursue contempt case against minister, 2 newspapers

Kochi, Apr 13 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today rejected the ''unconditional apology'' tendered by State Local Self Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty and posted for May 30 the framing of charges against him and two Malayalam newspapers for contempt of court.

A Division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice K S Radhakrishanan and Mr Justice M N Krishanan, said it found no reason to accept the minister's apology and further steps would be taken against him and two Malayalam newspapers, 'Madhyamam' and 'Mangalam', under Section 14 (d) (1) of the Contempt of Court (High Court of Kerala) Rules, pertaining to framing of charges. It then posted the case for further hearing on May 30.

The court however accepted the apology of two other newspapers 'Rashtreeya Deepika' and 'Tejas'' and dropped further proceedings against them.

Rejecting the apology made by the minister during a personal appearance in the court on Feburary 26, the Bench said the words spoken by the minister would have a great impact on the minds of the general public compared to that of a speech made by a poor, illiterate and ignorant common man.

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