Today, on 28th January, The Supreme Court, led by CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, extended interim protection to Punjab Kesari, restraining coercive action by the Punjab government and pollution control board for a further one week, as earlier protection was expiring.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, addressed the issue concerning the Punjab Kesari newspaper. The court extended the interim protection for further period of one week against any coercive action by the Punjab government and its pollution control board.
Counsel stated,
“Your Lordship had directed that no coercive steps be taken for one week, over and above the High Court’s order. That protection is due to lapse this Friday.”
CJI responded,
“Very well. The interim protection is extended for a further period of one week.”
Factual Backgrounds
The Punjab Kesari newspaper group accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government of Punjab of implementing a series of coercive actions against it following the publication of articles critical of the state leadership. These actions reportedly involved regulatory raids and inspections conducted by various agencies, alleged shutdowns of commercial units, and the disconnection of electricity at its printing press. The group asserted that these measures were intended to intimidate the press and suppress free reporting.
In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Governor, the Punjab Kesari Group claimed that these actions represented targeted harassment and a “witch hunt” against independent journalism, beginning after they released a balanced report in October 2025. They indicated that state government advertising had ceased, and there was a heavy police presence outside their printing facilities in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda, raising significant concerns about press freedom.
The Punjab Kesari Group filed a petition challenging these state actions in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which subsequently reserved its judgment. Unable to obtain interim relief from the High Court, the group turned to the Supreme Court for assistance.
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Earlier Interim Protection by the SC:
Previously, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court composed of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi granted interim protection. The Court ruled that newspapers should not be obstructed and ordered that the Punjab Kesari printing press continue to operate without interruption. The Punjab government and its pollution control board were restrained from taking any coercive measures that might affect the publication of the newspaper. This interim order is to remain effective until the High Court issues its ruling and for one additional week thereafter.
The Supreme Court explicitly restrained the State of Punjab from starting or continuing any actions that could hinder the publication of the Punjab Kesari newspaper, pending the resolution of the dispute in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
While granting earlier interim protection, CJI Surya Kant remarked,
“It is alright. Newspaper cannot be stopped.”
The Apex Court clarified that the interim protective measures would last until the High Court announces its judgment and for a further week thereafter, ensuring the parties’ rights to seek appellate remedies as allowed by law.
This interim order was issued following an urgent oral request by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented the newspaper management. Rohatgi described the situation as exceptional and in need of immediate judicial action, arguing that a series of punitive administrative measures were initiated against the management right after the publication of critical reports about the state administration.
These alleged measures included disconnection of electricity, issuance of notices by the Punjab Pollution Control Board under environmental regulations, closure of the group’s hospitality businesses, registration of first information reports, and orders to suspend the printing press’s operation all occurring within a notably short timeframe.
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The management claimed that the printing press, operational for nearly 20 years, was ordered to shut down based on allegations of water pollution, invoking regulatory powers under pollution legislation.
Despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court reserving judgment on the writ petition that challenged the state’s actions, the lack of interim relief led the management to approach the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution.
Emphasis was placed on the established constitutional principle that executive or regulatory authority should not be wielded to suppress the freedom of the press guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a), except within the narrow bounds of reasonable restrictions outlined in Article 19(2).
The Supreme Court ordered that, without prejudice to either party’s rights and contentions, and without expressing any views on the merits of the case, the Punjab Kesari newspaper’s printing press should continue to operate without interruption. It also mandated the maintenance of the status quo concerning other commercial establishments operated by the management until the High Court renders its judgment, along with an additional week of protection thereafter.