EC plea on media ‘too far fetched’, it can’t be restrained to report: SC

The Supreme Court Monday termed as too far fetched the poll panel’s plea for restraining media from reporting remarks in court proceedings and came out in support of high courts saying it does not want to demoralise them as they are vital pillars of democracy.

A bench of Justice D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah assured the Election Commission that the high court’s remarks were not meant to run down the poll panel and it will try to balance the rights of two constitutional bodies – the HC and the EC – in its order.

The apex court reserved the order on the appeal of the Election Commission against Madras High Court’s critical remarks holding it responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and fastening its responsible officials with the murder charges.