New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that freedom of speech and expression is the 'most abused right' in recent times, while hearing a plea seeking action against the alleged TV channels' reportage of Tablighi Jamaat communalising the Nizamuddin Markaz incident.
The Apex Court bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde and also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was hearing pleas of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Peace Party, DJ Halli Federation of Masjid Madaaris and Wakf Institute and one Abdul Kuddus Laskar.
The Apex Court took strong exception to the affidavit filed by the Centre in response to the plea and asserted that it has been filed by a junior officer containing 'unnecessary' and 'nonsensical' averments and not mentioned any specific instances of bad reporting raised by the petitioner.
The top court also sought an affidavit from Secretary, I&B Ministry on the steps taken in the past to eradicate insinuations by media in such cases.
"You cannot treat this court the way you are doing in this case," said the bench.
Senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing on behalf of Jamaat, said the Centre in its affidavit has stated that petitioners are trying to 'muzzle' freedom of speech and expression.
In response, the bench said, "They are free to make any averment in their affidavit like you are free to make any argument you want."
UNI JW SB 1559