Minister’s apology for insulting the court

Paloli apologies to High Court

Pioneer News Service | Kochi

Local Self Governance Minister Paloli Muhammadkutty on Monday tendered an unconditional apology to the High Court over a contempt case registered against him.

The Minister, who appeared before a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice MN Krishnan, admitted of having made the speech which was the subject matter of the suo motu contempt case.

The bench adjourned the case till February 28 for preliminary hearings. On that day, the court will decide on further proceedings to be adopted in the case.

The Minister was asked to appear before the bench after he allegedly made some remarks maligning the judiciary at a public function, recently. During a function, he had said Courts approach the cases based on ‘economic criteria.’

Later talking to reporters, the Minister however, said that there was no question of resignation over the issue.

The case was instituted by the High Court Registrar General on a directive from the Acting Chief Justice.

According to the registrar general, the speech reportedly made by the Minister on January 30 in Kozhikode had tended to scandalise and lower the dignity of the court in the eye of the public.

The Minister had also been charged with creating suspicion and doubt about the judiciary in the minds of the

people.

The newspapers that reported the speech were also liable to be prosecuted under the provisions of the Contempt-of-Court Act. CPI(M) MP, Sebastian Paul, after 10 years had appeared for a particular newspaper in the case.

After observing that it was satisfied that there was a prima facie case against the Minister, the court initiated contempt-of-court proceedings against him and editors of four newspapers.

Minister had earlier said: “I never intended to scandalise or lower the authority or dignity of any court of law, much less this court.”

The Minister is having a tough political ride after Prakash Karat himself had made him a party in the ongoing faction war.