Will challenge High Court gag order in Supreme Court, says State Govt's Advisor

On Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Advisor (Public Affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said that the Govt will challenge the gag order on media in Supreme Court.

Andhra Pradesh High Court on September 15 issued a gag order barring the media from reporting on a case pertaining to an FIR lodged by Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against some high profile personalities.

Reacting on the same, Reddy said that the FIR was filed by an independent body upon having conclusive evidence against the accused & those involved in the scam, but the court didn't seem to consider them on the plea of the petitioner that the government was vindictive.

"We are not vindictive towards opposition party leaders & thus we requested for fair investigation by CBI, which is a centrally regulated institution. The High Court orders were surprising," he said adding that they will move the Top Court on the matter.

He said that "A known TDP activist turned Advocate General & kin of an influential person must have figured on merits of the investigation but stalling the probe in the initial stage is unprecedented".

He added that "This is not just a gag on media, but it is a gag on institutions & gag on the system".

He further questioned the timing & haste in issuing the gag order, raising doubts about the involvement of influential people.

Meanwhile, YSRCP Lok Sabha floor leader Mithun Reddy raised this issue in the Parliament today, expressing his dissent over stifling the media by the HC.

"the enforcement of law should be the same for the Prime Minister & a common man," he said.

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