
HC annuls order externing scribe, slaps fine on MP government
Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed an official order externing a journalist from Rajgarh district limits and also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the MP government.
The court observed the order, issued by the district collector under a stringent law about five months ago, was in "complete violation of the principles of natural justice."
The order to extern the journalist, Anoop Saxena, under Madhya Pradesh Rajya Suraksha Adhiniyam, 1990 was recently set aside by Justice SC Sharma of Indore bench, who also directed the state government to pay Rs 10,000 as cost.
In a 33-page ruling, the HC came down heavily on the district official, saying the directive barring the 49-year-old scribe from entering Rajgarh jurisdiction when he was only doing his duty was a "complete violation of the principles of natural justice."
Besides, the journalist was not provided copies of the documents on the basis of which he was externed from the district on April 4, 2014, said Abhishek Tugnawat, the counsel for Saxena.
Tugnwat alleged that Rajgarh district administration's move was aimed at harassing Saxena as he had been continuously exposing corruption of local government employees.
"Freedom of expression, as enshrined in Constitution, is available to the press and merely because a journalist is reporting against the corruption in society or about the misdeeds of public servants, he cannot be slapped with an order passed under the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Suraksha Adhiniyam," the bench noted.

Holding hands, unzipping pants no sexual assault under POCSO: Bombay High Court

'First tackle Delhi, then think of Bengal': Mamata takes a jibe at Shah

BJP says India's economic recovery post Covid-19 is strong

R-Day violence: Locals stage counter protests at Singhu border against farmers

Government will not take any risk that will turn Haridwar into Wuhan
- In view of the pandemic, GOI has released a set of SOPs regarding the Kumbh Mela. The authorities concerned have been asked to discourage children below the age of 10, people above the age of 65, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic diseases from participating in the Mela.

Farmers to protest at Haryana’s toll plazas till demands are met: Gurnam Charuni

'Centre must repeal 3 farm laws': Mamata tables resolution in Bengal Assembly

Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa thanks PM Modi for Covid-19 vaccines

16 opposition parties to boycott President's address to Parliament on Friday

India donates first 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka

20 days before R'Day, top agencies discussed Sikhs for Justice's plan for Delhi

Why comedian Munawar Faruqui was arrested: A timeline

Health ministry says India's Covid-19 recovery rate nearing 97%

Jaishankar lists 8 principles to repair ties with China, stresses mutual respect
