The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it cannot create a separate avenue for journalists to come directly to the top court under Article 32 to quash cases registered against them (Foundation for Independent Journalism v. State of UP)..The Court said that while free speech and press freedom are crucial, alternative remedy before the High Court should be exhausted."We don't want press to be stifled. But we cannot create separate avenue for journalists to come to this court directly under Article 32 for quashing FIRs," the Bench remarked..A Bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna was hearing a plea by web news portal, The Wire and three journalists from the portal, Seeraj Ali, Mukul Singh Chauhan and Ismat Ara seeking quashing of criminal proceedings initiated against them by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with a report done by them on the demolition of Gareeb Nawaz Mosque in Uttar Pradesh. The Court eventually granted the petitioners protection from arrest for two months while asking them to approach Allahabad High Court."Ms. Nitya Ramakrishnan, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners seeks permission to withdraw this writ petition to pursue other remedies available to the petitioners under law. No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioners for a period of two months from today," the order said..[Read Order]
