On September 11, the Supreme Court of India extended the legal protection given to four members of the Editors Guild of India (EGI). This move delays any forced action against these journalists who are connected to two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against them. The court is also waiting for the Manipur government’s opinion on transferring the case to the Delhi High Court for a final decision.
The Supreme Court, made up of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra, spoke openly about the FIRs. These were filed after the EGI published a fact-finding report. The court pointed out that the journalists had not engaged in any criminal actions.
The case has sparked debate about the role of journalism and legal actions against reporters. Lawyers Kapil Sibal and Shyam Divan, who represent the journalists, stated that their fact-finding mission was prompted by a letter from the Indian Army, dated July 12. The Army had requested an “objective assessment” of media reporting in Manipur.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is working for the state government, suggested that the EGI members should be protected for more time. He also said that the Manipur High Court could handle the case, like similar ones in the past. However, the counsel for EGI disagreed. They argued that FIRs should not be based solely on a fact-finding report.
Sibal also mentioned that the EGI didn’t go to Manipur on their own initiative. “It is the Army which requested us. This is a very serious matter,” Sibal added. He emphasized that the EGI and its members should not face legal punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) just for submitting their report.
The issue has been controversial from the start. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh accused the EGI and its members of attempting to “provoke clashes” in the state. The second FIR includes an additional charge of defamation.
These journalists had visited Manipur between August 7 and 10 to study how the media was reporting on ethnic violence there. In their report, published on September 2, they criticized the internet ban and the state leadership’s apparent bias in the ongoing ethnic conflict.
The case will be further heard on September 15, as the court decides whether to move it to the Delhi High Court or keep it in Manipur for judgment. The extended protection for the EGI members will last until this date.