NEW DELHI/KOCHI: Yesterday's intervention from the Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court served as a stern warning against misguided practices. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court warned that the platform of the Apex Court should not be used to escalate further violence in Manipur.

Kerala High Court on the other hand lashed out against the police and the trade union for not obeying the court order. Another case criticized by the High Court was the confiscation of the media worker's phone and the raid on his house.

Do not seize the phone of media workers

KOCHI: High Court warned the police against seizing the mobile phones of media workers in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court verbally said that the fundamental rights of media workers should not be denied. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan stated this in the petition filed by G Visakhan, a media worker of the Mangalam daily and a native of Pathanamthitta, informing that the police had searched his house without a search warrant and seized his mobile phone to find 'Marunadan Malayali' editor Shajan Skaria.

Media workers are part of the fourth pillar of democracy. They can get a lot of information through mobile. These pieces of information are checked to decide what makes the news. The phone should not be seized without following the procedure, just because the media person has knowledge of the crime.

The court directed the Pathanamthitta CI to file an affidavit stating under what circumstances the mobile phone of the non-accused was seized. The petition will be considered on the 21st.

The slap of the union members was received on the face of the court

KOCHI: When a CITU leader slapped bus owner Rajmohan in Kottayam Thiruvarppu, that slap was received in the face of the High Court, said the single bench. Justice N Nagaresh pointed out that what happened was a police drama. The criticism was in the contempt of court petition taken voluntarily by the court. The incident occurred when the court order for giving protection was in place.

Despite the presence of six policemen, the attack could not be stopped. Wasn't the position of the police that you thrash them and we will take care of the rest, the court asked. What is the message the incident is giving to the general public? Is it that even if one goes to court and gets an order, the powerful union can do anything? An affidavit should be given by the DySP on the failure of policemen, and the CI regarding the case of attack when the petition is considered on the 18th.

Supreme Court should not be used as a platform to escalate conflict

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud warned against turning the Supreme Court into a platform for escalation of conflict. The court was considering a public interest petition filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum on the issue of Manipur.

Court proceedings should not lead to escalation of violence. What is needed are constructive suggestions to defuse the conflict. The Chief Justice gave the warning when Colin Gonsalves, the lawyer of the Tribal Forum, alleged that government-sponsored atrocities were taking place. The details will be heard today. The bench consisted of Chief Justice and Justice PS Narasimha.