Printing presses of Punjab Kesari newspaper shall continue to function: SC

NEW DELHI: (Jan 20) Observing that “newspapers cannot be stopped”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government and its pollution control board not to take any coercive steps against the publication of the Punjab Kesari newspaper in the state.

The top court took up the plea of the newspaper group on an urgent basis upon oral mentioning, and ordered that the printing presses of the Hindi daily shall continue to function uninterruptedly notwithstanding the Punjab State Pollution Control Board’s decision to snap power supply due to alleged violations.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi said its interim order will remain effective for one week even after the pronouncement of verdict by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a petition filed by the newspaper group challenging the state’s actions.