'Media Can't Be Stopped From Reporting', SC To Election Commission On Covid 'Murder Charges' Comment

The Election Commission had moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, challenging the critical observations made by the Madras High Court holding it responsible for a surge in COVID-19 cases

Supreme Court (File Photo)

The Election Commission moved to the Supreme Court in protest against the Madras High Court's statement stating the 'EC Officials as murders' for allowing to conduct elections while the country was reeling with the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic.

The SC heard EC's plea on Monday and said that the media cannot be stopped from reporting any court hearing, the Supreme Court said.

“Media is a powerful watchdog in democracy, it cannot be stopped from reporting discussions in higher courts. Seeking relief such as media should not report on observations is too far-fetched,” the Supreme Court said in its observations, news agency PTI reported.

The top court also said that High Courts are vital pillars of democracy and that it will not demoralise the courts.

"We are looking at this from a long term and impact on the functioning of high courts. we don't want to demoralise our high courts. they are vital pillars of our democracy. Things are often said in an open dialogue between bar and bench," Justice Chandrachud said.

The Madras High Court had slammed the Election Commission of India for allowing political rallies amid a deadly second wave of Covid-19,  holding it "singularly" responsible for the spread of the viral disease.

“Your institution is singularly responsible for the second wave of Covid-19. Election Commission officers should be booked on murder charges probably,” the HC observed.

On Friday, the Madras High Court had refused to entertain a petition by the Election Commission seeking to restrain media from publishing the court’s oral observations blaming the poll body for the rise in Covid-19 cases.