Chennai: Heated arguments were witnessed in the Madras High Court yesterday (Nov 29, 2004) between the prosecution and defence in the Sankararaman murder case in which Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi has been arrested over leaking out of confidential and other documents relating to the case to the media.

When hearing on the application for bail by the Seer resumed after the lunch recess, his counsel, I Subramanian sought a court order to restrain both the prosecution and defence from talking to the press about the case.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

Subramanian drew the court's attention to confidential confessional statements published in an English magazine and a private Tamil television channel telecasting a counter affidavit filed by the police even before it was made available to the defence.

When the court resumed its arguments after lunch recess on the application for bail filed by the Seer, Subramanian informed the presiding Judge Justice R Balasubramanian about the counter being flashed on the channel.

Tamil Nadu Public Prosecutor K Doraisamy said that there was no way it could be established who leaked out material as copies of various documents were made available to many persons including advocates assisting him and also the defence counsel.

Senior Supreme Court Advocate K T S Tulsi suggested that Subramanian file a petition for having the hearing in-camera and said that he would support the petition. However, Subramanian did not react.