Punjab Kesari Defies AAP Govt Pressure

The Punjab Kesari newspaper was ordered to shut down by the Pollution Control Board of Punjab on January 15, 2025, due to alleged water pollution.

The Supreme Court of India stepped in on January 20, 2025, and directed the Punjab government to allow the newspaper to resume operations.

The newspaper's owner, Amit Chopra, claims that the shutdown was politically motivated and aimed at stifling freedom of the press.

The newspaper had published news items that were critical of the AAP government, including a BJP press release against AAP.

The AAP government has denied any political motivation and stated that the shutdown was due to environmental violations.

The newspaper has also faced other allegations, such as the seizure of liquor bottles from their hotel bars, which the newspaper denies are illegal.

The Supreme Court has barred the Punjab government from taking any coercive action against the newspaper until the Punjab and Haryana High Court decides on a petition filed by the media group.