'When Court Speaks For People, It Becomes Anti-Govt?' : Kerala High Court Laments Cyber Attacks On Judges

The Kerala High Court on Friday condemned the cyber attacks being launched against judges for taking up matters of public importance.

"...The problem is, when Court speaks for the people, it becomes anti-government. I don't know how this happens. We are facing cyber attacks. What kind of system are we creating where Judges can't speak aloud? Because we have initiated a suo motu in this case, we are attacked...It is the duty of the State to also ensure that the Judiciary is also able to work," the Judge observed today.

Justice Ramachandran was referring to certain social media posts made against his bench for initiating suo motu action in light of the tragic boat accident in Tanur and the murder of a young house surgeon by a patient who was in police custody. The adverse remarks were brought to the Court's attention by its Registry.

The Judge disclosed that the incidents had emotionally exhausted him, adding to the fact that the judiciary was being attacked by certain persons 'left, right, and centre'. The Judge mentioned that a few 'persons in robes' were also amongst those levelling the attacks.

"This is not how the system should go. We have a very healthy Bar, as far as we are concerned. I was a part of this Bar for the past 32 years. I know this Bar. But not that person who makes such responses. There is a healthy discussion happening at the Bar," Justice Ramachandran remarked.

He added, "Yesterday, the Senior Government Pleader S. Kannan, informed us that the Government is with us in the matter of the death of the young house surgeon. That is not the problem. The issue is there are other self - appointed people who try coming in and walk as authorities."

The Court had found prima facie lapses on part of certain government authorities which led to the tragic incidents. Today, the bench clarified that it is not trying to micro-manage the authorities, however, it has responsibility to the State, the people, and the Constitution and that it would step in when the persons in charge fail to perform their duties. Thus, the State should not treat the two cases as adversarial litigations. "The fact that 22 people having died, and a young doctor has been killed, indicates that there is a problem that has to be resolved," it said. 

"We have been very tolerant until now, which has been regarded as weakness now. The Lakshmana Rekha has been broken. Our voices cannot be stifled. What others say does not scare us," the Court staunchly added.

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala