Pronouncing its verdict in the Election Commission’s plea against Madras HC remarks holding its officials responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases and saying it has murder charges, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the courts cannot stop the media from reporting, reports ANI. 

The SC said the reactions of the High Courts are harsh. It added that the ECI should have ensured compliance of orders, ANI reports.

The language both by the Bench and in judgment should be sensitive to the Constitutional values, Justice DY Chandrachud said.

“A delicate question of balancing the powers of two constitutional authorities has raised the larger issue of freedom of speech in India,” Justice  DY Chandrachud said, while pronouncing the verdict, quotes news agency ANI.

SC also made it clear that the judicial orders of the Madras High Court did not contain those remarks (observations) as a part of the judgment.

The commission had moved the apex court on Saturday, challenging the Madras HC’s critical observations as the court said that the ECI is responsible for a surge in COVID-19 cases in India. The election commission said that the remarks by the high court were “uncalled for, blatant and disparaging”.