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The plea highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously addressed the misuse of publicly funded advertising campaigns through print and electronic media by the government and its agencies to advance the political agendas of the ruling party by showcasing political personalities and their achievements
The Bombay High Court recently directed the State Government to form a three-member committee to prevent the misuse of publicly funded advertising campaigns for political motives.
A division bench of Justice MS Sonak and Justice Jitendra Jain was hearing a petition filed by the Editors Forum, addressing concerns that guidelines for advertisements released to print and electronic media were being openly violated.
The petition also called for establishing a commission to investigate alleged illegalities by the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), other government agencies, and local authorities.
The plea highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously addressed the misuse of publicly funded advertising campaigns through print and electronic media by the government and its agencies to advance the political agendas of the ruling party by showcasing political personalities and their achievements. This was deemed malafide, arbitrary, and in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
In response to the Supreme Court's directions, a committee was initially formed by the state government to monitor this issue. However, the committee became non-functional after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consequently, the high court bench directed the state's Chief Secretary to reconstitute and reactivate the committee.
“The Chief Secretary, State of Maharashtra, shall personally ensure that such a three-member body is constituted. This is because a direction for the constitution of such a three-member body was issued on 13 May 2015 and reiterated on 28 April 2016,” the order reads.
The high court observed that Article 144 of the Constitution of India provides that all authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in the aid of the Supreme Court. Therefore, the State of Maharashtra must constitute this three-member body as expeditiously as possible.
The bench will now hear the petition on 16 December 2024.
Case title: Editors Forum vs UOI
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