The Kerala High court has dismissed a petition seeking imposition of restrictions on media's right to publish news regarding the legal system or its proceedings.

“The prestige and credibility of the legal system largely depends upon the overall utility of the system to the society and the confidence which commands from society,” a division bench comprising Chief Justice, Mr J. Chelemeswar and Justice Mr Antony Dominic said, dismissing the plea by an advocate.

The petitioner Mr V. M. Ziyad had alleged reporting of legal proceedings of various courts in the country by media on some occasions is either “inaccurate and sometimes even false” and such publications are likely to damage the judiciary's credibility.

The bench said the petitioner seems to be ‘troubled' on account of some allegations which appeared in the media in the recent past regarding the integrity of certain members of the judiciary.

The petitioner has referred to a statement of Congress MP, Mr K. Sudhakaran, at a public meeting wherein he is quoted to have said, “a former judge of the apex court has accepted bribe and gave favourable orders in a particular case.”

The petitioner wanted a direction to Union Government, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Press Council of India not to publish court proceedings and Judge's opinion while dealing with a particular case without proper sanction obtained in writing from the court concerned, till the rules and regulations are framed by Kerala High court.