Supreme Court Stops Punjab Govt From Disrupting Punjab Kesari Publication, Flags Press Freedom Concerns
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday restrained the Punjab government from taking any coercive action that could disrupt the publication of the Punjab Kesari newspaper, after the media group alleged it was being selectively targeted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government for unfavourable reportage.
A bench led by Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, passed the interim order following an urgent mentioning by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Punjab Kesari Group.
“Without prejudice to the rights of the parties and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, it is directed that the printing press shall continue to operate uninterruptedly, while the commercial units can remain shut for the time being,” the bench ordered.
Interim Protection Till High Court Verdict
The apex court clarified that the interim protection would remain in force until the Punjab and Haryana High Court pronounces its order and for seven days thereafter, allowing the aggrieved parties time to approach the appellate court if required.
Rohatgi informed the bench that the newspaper group’s printing press had been partially shut after electricity connections were disconnected, while two hotels operated by the group were also closed following regulatory action. He argued that these steps were a direct consequence of an adverse news report published against the ruling dispensation.
“This is an attack on the freedom of the press. They have cut the electricity of my printing press and shut two hotels that we run because of an adverse article about the present dispensation,” Rohatgi told the court, adding that halting newspaper publication was impermissible in a democracy.
Court Questions Justification for Impacting Newspaper
Rohatgi also pointed out that while the high court had heard the matter at length on Monday and reserved its order, it declined to grant interim relief, prompting the newspaper group to urgently approach the Supreme Court to prevent disruption of publication.
Responding for the Punjab government, senior advocate Shadan Farasat maintained that only one unit of the printing press had been affected due to alleged pollution violations and that the entire operation had not been shut down.
“There is just one unit of the printing press affected because of pollution issues. The high court order is expected in a day or two,” Farasat said.
The bench, however, repeatedly questioned the rationale for any action that affected newspaper publication. “Hotel is fine, but why the newspaper should be shut?” the Chief Justice observed. When told that only one unit was closed, the bench responded firmly: “Do not close down the newspaper. Hotels can remain shut, but why the newspaper should be?”
Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi told the court that the matter had already been argued before the high court and orders were awaited.
Allegations of Targeted Action
Recording the submissions, the Supreme Court noted that the only prayer before it was for interim protection until the high court delivered its verdict. It emphasised that its directions were purely temporary and did not reflect any view on the legality of the actions taken by the Punjab Pollution Control Board or other authorities.
The Punjab Kesari Group has alleged a “targeted witch-hunt” by the Punjab government, claiming that a spate of inspections, raids and regulatory actions against its newspapers and associated businesses were aimed at intimidating the press.
In letters addressed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, the group said the actions followed a report published on October 31, 2025, which carried opposition allegations against the AAP’s national leadership. It also claimed that government advertisements to the group were stopped from November 2, 2025.
Punjab Govt Denies Vendetta Narrative
The Punjab government has rejected the allegations, describing them as a “vendetta narrative.” In a press release issued on January 15, the state said regulatory action was taken based on “serious and documented violations” detected by statutory authorities.
The government cited excise violations at the Park Plaza hotel in Jalandhar, including storage of liquor at unapproved locations, absence of mandatory holograms and QR codes, and sale of expired draught beer. It also pointed to environmental violations such as discharge of untreated effluents, a non-functional sewage treatment plant and expired environmental consents.
Opposition Rallies Around Newspaper Group
Opposition parties rallied around the Punjab Kesari Group, calling the alleged actions an attack on democratic values. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the allegations were “deeply disturbing” and struck at the backbone of democracy.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal and BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar also expressed solidarity with the newspaper group.
Our Thoughts
The Supreme Court’s intervention sends a strong signal that press freedom cannot be compromised under the guise of regulatory action. While statutory compliance is essential, any move that disrupts newspaper publication raises serious constitutional concerns. As the high court prepares to deliver its verdict, the case underscores the delicate balance between governance, regulation, and the fundamental right to free expression in a democracy.