State Force Should Never Be Used To Browbeat Political Opinion, Journalists: SC Quashes FIRs Against Scribes

An apex court bench comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and M.M. Sundresh called for “introspection from the political class across the country” over debasement in dialogue which is taking place.

Supreme Court. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Quashing the FIRs against editors of a news web portal and others in connection with articles published in West Bengal, the Supreme Court has said the state force should never be used to either browbeat a political opinion or journalists.

An apex court bench comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and M.M. Sundresh called for “introspection from the political class across the country” over debasement in dialogue which is taking place.

The apex court also asked the journalists to be more responsible in the Twitter age.

Stating there are bound to be different perceptions and opinions, including political opinions, in a country which prides itself on its diversity, the apex court said that is very essence of a democracy.

“It is undoubtedly the debasement in the dialogue which is taking place which needs introspection from the political class across the country. In a country which prides itself on its diversity, there are bound to be different perceptions and opinions which would include political opinions,” the apex court said in its order.

“The bench said that no doubt by the very nature of the job required to be performed by the political class, at times their exchanges may get heated. But it should not explode. We are sure difference in perceptions can be expressed in better language,” the apex court added, PTI reported.

Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing on behalf of the West Bengal government, earlier informed the bench that the state has decided to withdraw the FIRs registered against Nupur J. Sharma, the editor of English language Opindia.com, YouTuber Ajeet Bharti and others, including its founder and CEO.

The apex court had earlier on June 26 last year stayed further proceedings in three FIRs lodged in West Bengal against the petitioners.