The Supreme Court on Thursday extended interim relief to the Punjab Kesari media group, allowing uninterrupted publication of its newspaper while directing the group to seek redressal before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding alleged environmental violations flagged by the Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PSPCB).
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing two appeals filed by the group challenging a January 23 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had refused interim protection and advised the group to approach the NGT.
Appearing for the Punjab Kesari Group, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the PSPCB were acting with malice. He pointed out that nearly 20 coercive actions, including an attempt to shut down the newspaper’s Ludhiana press and a hotel in Jalandhar, were taken in just one week.
Despite an earlier interim order from the Supreme Court on January 20—directing the authorities not to interfere with newspaper operations—Rohatgi said the press continued facing disruption due to alleged vindictive steps.
On January 23, the High Court declined to extend interim protection and instead held that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the NGT. This prompted the media group to move the apex court again, seeking a continuation of relief and an inquiry into the actions taken by PSPCB officials.
Rohatgi urged the court to consider appointing an independent agency to verify compliance with environmental standards, particularly concerning the hotel premises, which the group claims already has functioning sewage treatment plants (STPs) and complies with all norms.
After considering submissions, the CJI-led bench clarified it would not interfere with the High Court’s decision directing the group to seek remedy before the NGT. However, it acknowledged the “peculiar facts and circumstances” of the case and issued clarificatory directions to protect press operations.
“The petitioners may approach the National Green Tribunal, if so advised, at the earliest, along with an application for interim directions,” the court stated.
The Bench added that, in view of the claim that environmental norms had been met, the petitioners may request the NGT to form an expert team—along with PSPCB officers—to verify the compliance on site.
Until such time, the hotel premises would remain non-operational, the court clarified.
On January 20, the Supreme Court had taken up the plea of Punjab Kesari on an urgent oral mention and restrained the PSPCB from cutting electricity to its printing press in Ludhiana, ensuring continued publication. That order was meant to operate till the High Court decided on interim relief, which ultimately was denied, leading to Thursday’s appeal.
The top court clarified on Thursday that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of either side’s claims and left all issues open for determination by the NGT.
