The Odisha High Court on Wednesday concluded hearing on the PIl that has sought quashing of an SCB Medical College and Hospital circular restricting entry of media representatives in the hospital campus.
Hearing the arguments of the petitioner and the respondents, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Amitava Roy and Justice BR Sarangi reserved its judgement, informed the petitioner counsel Nishikant Mishra.
It may be mentioned that the hospital authorities in June last year had issued a circular stating that the representatives of both electronic and print media would be allowed to enter the hospital premises for covering any news only after obtaining permission from the Hospital Superintendent.
Terming the diktat as “unconstitutional”, Mishra in his petition has alleged that this is an attempt to suppress the gross unprofessional conduct of the hospital authorities from public.
The hospital authorities had justified the gag order on journalists. In an affidavit, the Hospital Superintendent had told the court that the restrictions were imposed on the media as a remedial measure for smooth management of the hospital and to provide better healthcare to patients.