Code of conduct for judicial officers introduced

Curbs on criticising policies of govts. and their institutions on social media

The judicial officers in Kerala have been advised by the Kerala High Court not to make “offensive, irresponsible or defamatory statements criticising the policies and actions of the governments and their institutions” on social media. The advice is part of the code of conduct introduced for the judicial officers, which was drawn up after the Kerala High Court taking note of the “growing trend among judicial officers indulging in social media and often posting messages containing unsavoury and unwanted messages.” The code was aimed at regulating the involvement and intervention of judicial officers in social media and other public platforms, according to the official memorandum issued by P.G. Ajithkumar, Registrar (District Judiciary).