KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday issued a chargesheet against CPM state committee member M V Jayarajan in a contempt of court case. A Division Bench comprising Justice A K Basheer and Justice P Q Barkath Ali also rejected Jayarajan’s plea to defer hearing of the case to June 24 as a special leave petition filed by him is pending before the Supreme Court.In the chargesheet the court observed that the remarks by Jayarajan lowered the dignity of the judiciary and authority of the court among the public and were intended to humiliate, scandalise and to interfere with the administration of justice. The chargesheet said Jayarajan, who had the chargesheet read out, denied the charges. With this, Jayarajan has to face trial under Sections 2(c) and 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The trial will begin on July 20. Though Jayarajan wanted to explain his side, the court said he need not give further explanation. The court suo motu initiated contempt proceedings against Jayarajan after he made critical comments against judges for banning roadside public meetings during a public speech in Kannur on June 26 last year. The court, by examining available documents, video clippings and submissions by the amicus curiae, concluded that there was contempt in his remarks. The court dismissed Jayarajan’s argument that there was no contempt in his statements. Jayarajan was of the view that banning roadside meetings was denial of justice. He further claimed that he had not criticised the judgment or judges but just pointed out the errors in the judgment. Justice Pius C Kuriakose, who looked into the matter as directed by the Chief Justice, had observed that if proved true, Jayarajan’s statement would be contempt of court.
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