Supreme Court Allows Punjab Kesari Printing Presses to Operate Amid Pollution Violation Dispute

The Supreme Court of India has directed that the printing presses of the Punjab Kesari newspaper continue to operate uninterruptedly despite the Punjab State Pollution Control Board's order to cut power over alleged pollution violations. The court granted interim relief following the newspaper group's plea that the shutdown was retaliatory due to critical articles against the Punjab government. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reserved its verdict on the matter, with the Supreme Court's order to remain effective until one week after that decision. The Punjab government maintains the actions were based on statutory violations, including environmental and excise law breaches.