Delhi HC slams GoI’s PIB over suspension of senior journalist’s Accreditation Card
Delhi HC slams GoI’s PIB over suspension of senior journalist’s Accreditation Card
Young lawyer Abhishek Grover brings down Centre Govt.’s agency on its knees
Delhi Crown Bureau
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday (Feb. 2) slammed the Government of India’s publicity wing – the Press Information Bureau (PIB) over the illogical suspension of a senior journalist’s Accreditation Card a couple of years ago.
Coming down heavily on the PIB, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated in his order that the government agency had suspended the senior journalist’s PIB Accreditation Card sans any valid reason, and, hence it shall revoke the suspension within two months.
The HC judge also ordered the PIB to assign specific reason(s) for suspension of the said journalist’s Accreditation Card, and that the suffering journalist be given an opportunity of being heard.
“The suspension can always be reconsidered for its revocation for justifiable reasons by the respondent (PIB). Let the respondent reconsider the continuation of the petitioner’s suspension within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order passed today,” said Justice Kaurav in his order.
He added, “It is also made clear that if the respondent (PIB) finds that for any reason whatsoever, the suspension cannot be revoked, it will have to assign specific reasons, thereto. The petitioner shall also be given an opportunity of hearing before taking any final decision. The petitioner, thereafter, shall be at liberty to take appropriate recourse in accordance with law.”
Strongly putting up the senior journalist’s case before the Delhi High Court, young lawyer Abhishek Grover argued that the impugned order by the PIB suspending the senior journalist’s PIB Accreditation Card was “bereft of any reason”.
He also told the court that the petitioner (senior journalist) as of now may not fulfil the criteria for registration as a PIB Accreditation card-holder.
Adv. Grover pooh-poohed the PIB’s lady lawyer’s contention that the senior journalist’s Writ Petition had become infructuous, saying that the suspension in itself was not in accordance with set principles of natural justice, viz. serving a Show-Cause Notice, or carrying our proper investigation into the complaint, or knowing the locus standi of the “anonymous” complainant.
Strong arguments put forth by Adv. Grover silenced the PIB’s lady lawyer, who was heard as saying that the PIB would abide by the honourable court’s order and renew the senior journalist’s Accreditation card without any further delay.
