The magistrate directed that notices be issued to ten newspapers and seven television channels in this regard and posted the case for October 5.
In his petition, Sister Sephy’s brother Mathew said that they were given the CD of the narco test by the court as the accused were entitled to know what were the charges against them and how to defend them.
However, by airing these CDs whose credibility itself was under question, the media had created an impression that the the accused had already admitted to the crime. The channels and newspapers also conducted discussions on the CDs and made it appear as if the accused were guilty of the crime. The petitioner said that the “trial by media’’ had happened even before the preliminary hearing in the case had begun.
In this backdrop, Mathew said that the reputation of his sister had been seriously damaged. It may be recalled that leading Malayalam news channels had started airing the CDs on September 14 within minutes of the accused getting the same on the orders of the Ernakulam CJM. The CDs showed all three accused admitting their involvement in the murder of Sister Abhaya 17 years ago.
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