Media cannot be stopped from reporting oral observations made by judges during hearings as they are also of “public interest”, noted the Supreme Court on Monday.
While hearing the Election Commission’s plea about being “castigated without any evidence” by the Madras High Court on the political rallies, the bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah made the observation.
“They (high court judges) are also humans and they are also stressed. Take this in the correct spirit. We don’t want to demoralise our high courts, they are vital pillars of our democracy. Things are often said in an open dialogue between bar and bench,” said the apex court.
“The high court judges are doing tremendous work, burning the midnight oil, they are overburdened. They see what’s happening on the ground during this time of COVID-19. It is bound to affect your psyche,” the bench said.
“Often something is said due to past experience or after a series of orders not being adhered to. Everything cannot be in order,” it added.
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The bench was hearing the EC’s appeal challenging the Madras HC’s order where it was criticised for failing to maintain COVID protocols and was remarked that “should be put up on murder charges” for being the “most irresponsible institution”.