Printing presses of Punjab Kesari newspaper shall continue to function: SC
New Delhi (PTI): In a reprieve to the Punjab Kesari newspaper group, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that printing presses of the vernacular daily shall continue to function uninterruptedly notwithstanding the Punjab State Pollution Control Board’s decision to snap power supply due to alleged violations.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant took urgent note of the plea of the newspaper group that the publication of certain editions of the news daily will be affected due to the decision of the state’s pollution control board.
“Our newspaper should not stop because of an article, our press electricity will be disconnected,” senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the group, said while mentioning the case for an urgent hearing.
The senior lawyer submitted, “Because of an article published in the Punjab Kesari against the dispensation of the present government, electricity is cut for printing presses. Hotels of the owners are shut… FIRs are registered against owners”.
He said the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard the petition and reserved the verdict. However, the interim relief has not been granted, he added.
The bench took the plea of the newspaper group’s plea on board, and said, “Without prejudice to the rights of both sides, and without expressing any views on merits of the, it is directed that printing presses of Punjab Kesari shall continue uninterruptedly, and the status quo shall be maintained with regard to other properties.”
The counsel for the AAP government said the group was found in violation of pollution norms.
The bench said its order permitting printing presses shall continue for a week even after pronouncement of the verdict by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the group's plea.
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Coffee grower dies in elephant attack in K'taka
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): A 49-year-old coffee grower died in an elephant attack on Thursday, officials said.
The incident occurred around noon when Ganapathi went to his coffee plantation near Siddapura in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district, they said.
According to forest department, Ganapathi was trampled by the wild elephant which suddenly appeared in the coffee plantation.
Following the death, villagers staged protest rasing concerns about the increasing movement of wild elephants in human settlements and plantations in this district.
"An alert regarding movement of elephant was issued to residents of the area. Our team rushed to the spot as soon as we received the information. All concerns raised by the villagers are being addressed," a senior forest department official said.
Orders have been given to the officials concerned to monitor movement of the elephant involved in the attack and capture it, he said.
"All teams are already vigilant and monitoring the movement of the wild elephant. All efforts are being taken to capture it. The operation will begin tomorrow," he added.
