The Supreme Court on Monday transferred to the Delhi High Court a petition filed by Ushodaya Publications, owner of the leading Telugu daily “Eenadu,” challenging a Government Order (GO) allegedly aimed at increasing sales of the “Sakshi” newspaper (allegedly owned and controlled by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister).
The petitioner had moved before the Supreme Court against the Andhra Pradesh High Court decision that declined to stop the GO in question.
A bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala heard the case.
CJI stated right away that the matter would be sent to the Delhi High Court.
Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan, representing for the Government of Andhra Pradesh, objected to the transfer, claiming that it would cast doubt on the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
The bench, however, assured him that no questions would be made about the conduct of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
“What weighed on us is that this is not between two newspapers, this is between two political parties,” CJI remarked.
As a result, the following order was passed, “It would be in the interests of justice to transfer the petition to the Delhi High Court. We propose that the petition be heard by the Delhi High Court bench presided over by the Chief Justice. Parties are free to petition the High Court of Delhi for a modification of the interim decision granting the requested directives. The transfer to the Delhi High Court would not affect the outcome of the proceedings in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.”
The Government Order in question sanctioned Rs.200/- per month from State funds as additional financial support for each Gramme Volunteer/Ward Volunteer to purchase one widely circulated Telugu newspaper, which provides them with more knowledge and awareness on contemporary issues as well as information on Government schemes.
Ushodaya Publications, which owns “Eenadu,” claims that the price ceiling in GO is set in such a way that it promotes “Sakshi.” The monthly subscription rate for “Sakshi” was Rs.176.50 per month, while the charge for “Eenadu” was Rs.207.50 per month. It was argued that the government purposefully set the additional grant of Rs.200/- per month to match the monthly subscription charges of “Sakshi” in order to enable the newspaper grow beyond the readership of “Eenadu.” After the Telangana High Court refused to stay the GO, Ushodaya approached before the Supreme Court.
