Kerala High Court raises concerns about leak of unsigned orders, judgments

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday raised concerns about leak of unsigned versions of the Court's orders and judgments..Single-judge Justice VG Arun said in open court that an order that was pronounced in part by him last week but an unedited and unauthorised version was leaked to the media in full. The same was later used for reporting by media portals, the judge said."One of the lawyers wanted to read the order. It was handed over by the court officer. Photograph was immediately clandestinely taken and sent over to some law portals and media houses. It was an unedited copy of the order and verbatim reproduction came with the mistakes on some portals. Some of the media houses cross verified, found out that it was unauthenticated and did not publish," he remarked.The judge clarified that it is not the reportage by media houses that concerns him but rather the fact that the order was photographed and shared, possibly by a member of the Bar."I am not on the publication part of it. I am on the manner in which the lawyer has conducted himself. Very disturbing. Over the weekend I have been thinking of what stage we have reached. When a person on whose trust it is handed over, immediately takes photographs and send it across..." he said..Justice Arun informed the Bar that he has directed the High Court Registry to look into the issue and will be approaching the concerned Bar Association to discuss the issue also."I have asked the registry to find out. We work on mutual trust so I just wanted to pass it on to the lawyers here. Must be some youngster but the association should also ... These sort of things tend to make us lose mutual trust," he stated.