HC comes down on media for 'misreporting'

KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Friday took objections to 'misreporting' by a section of press on the sensational Suryanelli rape case and virtually warned of initiating contempt of court proceedings.

A division bench comprising justice K T Shankaran and Justice M L Joseph Francis expressed displeasure over 'misreporting' of court proceedings in the case and observed "this is an unhealthy practice".

The bench cautioned 'this is a fit case for taking contempt of court proceedings'. It was referring to a report in a leading English daily today quoting a submission of the Director General of Prosecutions (DGP) T Asaf Ali that Suryanelli victim cannot be considered a child prostitute.

The court sought an explanation from the legal reporter of the daily by Monday.

The case relates to the victim hailing from Suryanelli in Idukki District of Kerala being abducted in January 1996 and transported to various places and sexually exploited by over 40 persons.