Defamation case against media including Kerala Kaumudi; HC quashes case and further proceedings

KOCHI: The High Court's order quashing the defamation case against the media including Kerala Kaumudi for publishing news related to the dumping of garbage on the premises of Aluva Advaita Ashram came as a strong warning to those who move against the media with unnecessary defamation cases.

The High Court made far-sighted observations in its order on the petition filed by Malayalam Manorama seeking to quash the complaint filed by Aluva Municipal Corporation Councilor KV Sarala against four dailies alleging defamation and the further proceedings of the same case in the Aluva First Class Judicial Magistrate Court. A bench of Justice A Badharudeen opined that obstruction of media freedom would not lead to democracy but to mob rule.

The High Court directed the trial courts to ensure that there are sufficient facts while filing defamation cases against newspapers and media workers and also directed to send a copy of the order to the district courts.

The High Court also stated that to say that an accurately reported news is defamatory without sufficient evidence is a hindrance to the freedom of the media.

Counselor's hardheadedness and defamation case

ALUVA: The immature actions of Aluva Municipal Councilor KV Sarala is what led to the case. The case-based incident took place on February 18, 2017. KV Sarala, who was the Congress block vice president, was expelled by the party for verbally abusing the secretary of the ashram, Swami Shivaswarupananda, who questioned the dumping of garbage from public drains on the premises of the Aluva Advaita ashram founded by Sree Narayana Guru. The councillor filed a defamation case in the Aluva court demanding compensation of ten lakh rupees against four newspapers, including 'Kerala Kaumudi', which had continuously reported on this.