NEW DELHI, India: The Indian Express group ‘of newspapers are seeking legal advice and are planning to move the court following reports of a government order to take over the Express building in New Delhi ‘The government notice, taking ‘over the building, was published in the Times of India on Sunday. A spokesman of the Express newspaper said though the notice was dated September 29, it had not been served on the Express; such a move would be challenged in the court. The letter of the Land and Development Officer to the Express quoted in the Times of India states among other things that the lesser, the government, has been pleased to terminate the lease and reenter on the premises with effect from September 29. On and from which date all your rights and titles have over the leasehold property ceased.

The National Union of Journalists have expressed its concern and shock over the government’s termination of lease and sudden take ‘over of the Express building in New Delhi. The NUJ in a lengthy statement said that the timing of this action smacked off vindictiveness on the part of the government. And strengthened the public apprenshion that the government was more interested in muzzling a critic newspaper group than enforcing the law. Approached for a comment upon government’s action against Express group, the Information Advisor to the Prime Minister, Sharada Prasad, said he has no comment to make. In any case he added it does not concern the Prime Minister’ office.

In a statement issued by the NUJ, its General Secretary, AK. Gupta, said that the government action also revealed that newspapers which had obtained land (on lease from the government were clearly vulnerable to intimidation in a situation where they ‘might publish a report not palatable to it. A serious threat to the freedom of the press had developed in New Delhi where many newspaper offices were located on the leased lands, All organizations connected with the newspapers had of fight untidily against the heat he said.

 

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 20, 1987