Uttarakhand High Court Stays Blacklisting of Shrimat Express Newspaper
Justice Pankaj Purohit stayed a state order blacklisting the Shrimat Express newspaper and removing its editor from a government steering committee, finding no hearing had been given.
Current Summary
The Uttarakhand High Court has stayed an order blacklisting the newspaper Shrimat Express and removing its owner-editor from the state's print media steering committee. Justice Pankaj Purohit passed the interim order after finding the newspaper had been blacklisted without giving its editor an opportunity to be heard. The editor had also challenged his removal from the Steering Committee, arguing that under Rule 5 of the 2015 Rules governing the committee, only the Information Minister or Chief Minister could remove a nominated member, and only in specified circumstances — not the Director General of Information and Public Relations, who issued the July 8 order. The petitioner's counsel argued blacklisting carries serious civil consequences and cannot be imposed without a show-cause notice or hearing. The state's counsel acknowledged in court that no opportunity of hearing had been given before the order was passed.
What We Know
- Justice Pankaj Purohit of the Uttarakhand High Court stayed the blacklisting of Shrimat Express newspaper and the removal of its editor from the state's print media Steering Committee.
- The editor was removed via a July 8 order issued by the Director General, Information and Public Relations.
- The petitioner argued only the Information Minister or Chief Minister had authority to remove a Steering Committee member under Rule 5 of the 2015 Rules.
- The state's counsel conceded in court that no opportunity of hearing was given before the blacklisting order was passed.
What Is Still Unclear
- The date the original blacklisting and removal orders were issued, and the next hearing date in the case, were not specified in available reporting.
What Changed
- 6 Nov, 11:51 amSignal detected: Uttarakhand High Court Stays Blacklisting of Shrimat Express Newspaper