New Delhi: In a major embarrassment to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court on Thursday, stayed a circular by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the capital which mandated filing of defamation cases against media organisations for publishing or broadcasting news that damage reputation of the Chief Minister, his council of ministers and the government.
Taking a hard view on the matter, the apex court questioned Kejriwal’s stand on the issue. As per reports, the court questioned his ‘doublespeak’ on the issue. The court said on one hand the Delhi CM ad earlier approached the court seeking relief in a criminal defamation case filed against him and on the other hand his government issues such a circular against media.
The court gave six weeks time to Arvind Kejirwal to respond on the issue.
Last week, Kejriwal, 46, commissioned a major controversy after a note asked all officers in his Delhi government to register complaints about “any news item which damages the reputation of the chief minister or the government.”
The circular also stated that a case can be filed after getting a go-ahead from the director (prosecution) and approval from the law department.
The order was attacked by his opponents and others as Kejriwal’s attempt to stifle any criticism. He has controversially accused the media of being “sold” and committed to “supari journalism” to discredit his party.
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