Supreme Court closes privilege versus press freedom reference
The Supreme Court on October 6 closed a nearly two-decade-old seven-judge reference on the conflict between legislative privilege and freedom of speech. A Constitution Bench led by CJI Surya Kant disposed of it as infructuous, noting the Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution at the centre of the dispute was withdrawn in 2004 and the cause of action no longer survived. Broader constitutional questions were left open for a future case. The matter arose from 2003 Assembly action against five journalists of The Hindu.