A special court has overturned a previous order that kept journalists out of the courtroom during the trial of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia. This decision ends a six-month legal fight and lets media personnel observe the proceedings once more.
Court Restores Journalists' Right to Observe Trial
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Singh set aside the order from the Mohali Chief Judicial Magistrate. The CJM had barred mediapersons from sitting inside the courtroom. Now, journalists can enter and watch the high-profile case unfold.
Legal Challenge by Journalists' Union
The Active Journalists Union of Punjab moved an application on July 17, 2025. Their president, Rajinder Singh Taggar, filed the plea through advocate Damandeep Singh. They argued against the CJM's order, which was passed with consent from both the Vigilance Bureau and the accused's counsel.
Damandeep Singh contended that the ban violated key legal principles. He said it went against the open court concept under Section 366 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The advocate also argued it infringed on freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
He further submitted that a lower court's order cannot bind a superior court like an Additional Sessions Judge. This point helped strengthen the case for overturning the restriction.
Delays and High Court Intervention
The trial court repeatedly adjourned the matter, causing significant delays. Advocate Amaninder Singh Sekhon then approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He sought an expeditious decision to resolve the issue quickly.
Acting on his petition, the high court asked for details on January 13. It wanted information about the adjournments and interim orders passed by the trial court. Sekhon later revealed the extent of the delays at the Chandigarh Press Club.
He disclosed that the matter had seen twenty-eight adjournments over five months and twenty-nine days. This lengthy process highlighted the need for a swift resolution.
Broader Implications for Media Access
Another petition remains pending before the high court. It seeks permission for journalists to videograph or take photographs within district court complexes. However, this would exclude courtrooms for their respective platforms.
The next hearing in this broader matter is scheduled for January 28. This indicates ongoing efforts to expand media access in legal settings.
The restoration of media entry marks a significant victory for press freedom. It ensures transparency in the judicial process for a prominent political figure's trial. The decision reinforces the principle that courts should remain open to public scrutiny.
