T

he Supreme Court told the Election Commission (EC) on Monday media "must report fully" all proceedings of the court and it cannot be stopped from reporting any court hearing. The EC had complaint about media reporting oral observations of the court which had "tarnished the image of the Election Commission of India."

The EC had moved the SC on Saturday against the Madras High Court's remark of singularly responsible for the surge in Covid cases and had blamed the HC for "blatantly disparaging and derogatory" remark. A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said the high courts are vital pillars of the democracy and did not want to "demoralise" them.

The Apex Court said, “Media is a powerful watchdog in democracy, it cannot be stopped from reporting discussions in higher courts. Seeking relief such as media should not report on observations is too far-fetched."

The Madras High Court had strongly criticized the EC and said that the panel should be booked for murder for not stopping political parties from violating Covid protocols during campaigns for Assembly elections and they were singularly responsible for the Covid spike.

The Supreme Court asked the EC to take the High Court's remark in the right spirit as "often something is said due to past experience or after a series of orders not being adhered to. Everything cannot be in order." The EC had asked the SC to stop media from reporting observations of the court.