The Supreme Court today refused to frame guidelines across the board for reporting sub-judice matters .The apex court however laid down a onstitutional principle under which
aggrieved parties can seek postponement of publication of court hearings. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia said it was laying down the constitutional principle which will allow the aggrieved parties to seek from appropriate
court the postponement of the publication of court hearings.
The bench said the concerned court will decide the question of postponement of reporting court proceedings on
case-by-case basis.While propounding the doctrine of postponement of publication of court proceedings, the bench said it is a preventive measure and not a prohibitive and punitive measure.It further said that temporary ban on publication of court proceedings is necessary to maintain balance between freedom of speech and fair trial for proper administration of justice.