Today, the Supreme Court granted relief to the Punjab Kesari newspaper group, allowing its printing presses to continue operating without interruption despite the Punjab State Pollution Control Board’s move to disconnect power supply over alleged violations.

Taking urgent note of the plea, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that snapping the power supply could affect the publication of certain editions of the vernacular daily and accordingly directed that the presses be allowed to function for now.

“Our newspaper should not stop because of an article, our press electricity will be disconnected,” senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the group, said while mentioning the case for an urgent hearing.

The senior lawyer submitted, “Because of an article published in the Punjab Kesari against the dispensation of the present government, electricity is cut for printing presses. Hotels of the owners are shut… FIRs are registered against owners”.

He informed the court that while the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already heard the petition and reserved its verdict, no interim relief was granted.

Taking up the newspaper group’s plea, the Supreme Court said, “Without prejudice to the rights of both sides, and without expressing any opinion on the merits, the printing presses of Punjab Kesari shall continue to function without interruption, and status quo shall be maintained with respect to the other properties.”

The counsel appearing for the AAP-led Punjab government submitted that the newspaper group had been found in violation of pollution control norms.

The bench further directed that the protection granted to the printing presses will remain in force for one week even after the Punjab and Haryana High Court delivers its verdict on the matter.