Supreme Court Grants Interim Relief to Punjab Kesari, Directs Punjab Government Not to Take Coercive Action

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim relief to the Punjab Kesari newspaper group, directing the Punjab government not to take any coercive steps against the publication and ensuring that its printing press continues to function without interruption. The order came amid allegations by the media group that it was subjected to a series of retaliatory actions after publishing reports critical of the state government.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant intervened after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi made an urgent oral mentioning on behalf of the Punjab Kesari management. The matter reached the apex court even as the Punjab and Haryana High Court is yet to pronounce its verdict on petitions filed by the newspaper group challenging the closure of its printing press and other establishments.

During the hearing, Rohatgi submitted that soon after the newspaper published articles questioning the functioning of the Punjab government, multiple coercive measures were initiated against the group within a span of just two days. These, he said, included the disconnection of electricity supply, issuance of notices by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, sealing of the printing press, closure of hotels run by the group, and registration of First Information Reports (FIRs).

“All this happened in a matter of two days merely because we published articles that were not favourable to the dispensation in Punjab,” Rohatgi told the court. He emphasised that the printing press in question had been functioning for nearly two decades and was ordered to shut down immediately on allegations of pollution violations, without due process.

Observing that the freedom of the press cannot be curtailed in such a manner, the CJI-led Bench remarked, “Newspaper cannot be stopped.” The court accordingly directed that the printing press of Punjab Kesari be allowed to function uninterruptedly.

In its formal order, the Supreme Court stated that, “without prejudice to the rights and contentions of both sides, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the printing press of Punjab Kesari newspaper shall continue to function uninterruptedly.” The Bench further clarified that this interim arrangement would remain in force until one week after the Punjab and Haryana High Court pronounces its judgment in the matter.

However, the apex court drew a distinction between the newspaper’s core publication activity and the group’s other commercial ventures. With regard to hotels and other commercial establishments run by the Punjab Kesari group, the court directed that the status quo be maintained for the time being.

Appearing for the Punjab government, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Shadan Farasat defended the state’s actions, asserting that all steps taken against the media group were strictly in accordance with law. He informed the court that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had already reserved its judgment on similar petitions filed by the group and argued that the Supreme Court should refrain from interfering at this stage.

Farasat also clarified that only one unit had been ordered to be closed and not the entire newspaper operation. Responding to this submission, the CJI-led Bench observed that while regulatory action against hotels or other commercial establishments could be examined separately, there was no justification for stopping the newspaper’s functioning. “Hotels or other commercial establishments, one can understand, can be closed for a few days. But allow the newspaper,” the Bench said.

Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had declined to grant interim relief to the Punjab Kesari group while reserving its verdict, prompting the management to move the Supreme Court. The newspaper group has alleged that the closure orders were issued on the very date of inspection, without waiting for test reports or providing an opportunity for a hearing, raising concerns over procedural fairness.

The Supreme Court’s interim intervention has been viewed as a significant assertion of press freedom, at least until the High Court delivers its final ruling on the matter.

Team Maverick.