The Kerala Judicial Officers Association has taken a firm stand against online vilification of the judiciary by moving the High Court. The registered body representing judicial officers in the district judiciary has filed a memorandum seeking the initiation of contempt proceedings against individuals who posted malicious and derogatory content targeting a senior judge.
Memandum Seeks Removal of Content and Restraint Orders
The association's plea specifically concerns Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese of Ernakulam, who delivered the judgment in the highly sensitive 2017 actor abduction and rape case. The memorandum requests the court to direct the offenders and the social media platforms involved to immediately delete the objectionable content. It also seeks orders to restrain these platforms from hosting or displaying any material that defames the judge.
T Madhusoodanan, the president of the association, highlighted in the memorandum that this incident marks an unprecedented public scandalisation of a sitting principal district judge following a verdict. He alleged that certain media houses and individuals with vested interests began circulating baseless allegations soon after the judgment was pronounced.
A Dangerous Trend of Targeting Judges
The legal body expressed deep concern over what it described as an unfortunate and growing trend across visual, print, and social media. The memorandum notes that personally attacking judges has become a common reaction whenever a judgment is delivered. It further claims that even some lawyers are collaborating with such elements, an act that undermines the dignity of the legal profession and the judicial system as a whole.
Madhusoodanan argued that by levelling allegations of a criminal nature against a woman judge on social media, the contemnors deliberately aimed to diminish the authority of the judiciary in the public eye. This, according to the association, squarely attracts charges of criminal contempt.
Evidence Cited Includes Posts by Public Figures
To substantiate its claims, the association's memorandum included various links to the alleged social media posts. The content in question is said to have been made by actors, media persons, and other public figures. Additionally, the plea cites online video links from certain news channels that allegedly defamed Judge Honey M Varghese.
This legal action underscores the judiciary's increasing concern about maintaining its sanctity and authority in the digital age, where verdicts can instantly trigger waves of unchecked criticism and personal attacks online.
