The Supreme Court has dismissed the plea made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain the media from reporting the oral remarks of judges. The SC said it will be retrograde to restrain HCs from making observations or gagging the media from reporting observations.

“No restriction on media from reporting on court proceedings. It is integral to freedom of speech and expression,” the Supreme Court said on Thursday as it pronounced judgment on the EC appeal against the Madras High Court's "critical" remarks.

The EC had moved SC after the Madras High Court held the poll body responsible for the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country and fastened responsibility on its officials with the murder charge.

In its judgment on Thursday, the SC said that the courts cannot stop the media from reporting. The Supreme Court also made it clear that the judicial orders of the Madras High Court did not contain those remarks (observations) as a part of the judgment.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the plea made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain the media from reporting the oral remarks of judges. The SC said it will be retrograde to restrain HCs from making observations or gagging the media from reporting observations.

“No restriction on media from reporting on court proceedings. It is integral to freedom of speech and expression,” the Supreme Court said on Thursday as it pronounced judgment on the EC appeal against the Madras High Court's "critical" remarks.

The EC had moved SC after the Madras High Court held the poll body responsible for the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country and fastened responsibility on its officials with the murder charge.

In its judgment on Thursday, the SC said that the courts cannot stop the media from reporting. The Supreme Court also made it clear that the judicial orders of the Madras High Court did not contain those remarks (observations) as a part of the judgment.