Can't Have Separate Avenue For Journalists To Quash FIRs, Says Supreme Court

The court was hearing a plea by Foundation for Independent Journalism, which runs The Wire, and its three journalists

The Supreme Court today said it does not want freedom of press to be muzzled or stifled but it cannot create a separate avenue for journalists to approach it directly for quashing of FIRs lodged against them. The top court stated this while hearing a plea filed by Foundation for Independent Journalism, which runs digital news portal The Wire, and its three journalists seeking quashing of three FIRs lodged against them in Uttar Pradesh. A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao asked the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court to seek the quashing of FIRs and granted them protection from coercive steps for two months. "You go to the high court and argue for quashing. We will protect you in the interim," said the bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna.