Explain logic behind ban on home delivery of newspapers: HC

Mumbai, Apr 21 () The Aurangabad bench of theBombay High Court has questioned the Maharashtra government'sdecision to ban door-to-door distribution of newspapers whileallowing people to step out and buy them from street stalls.

Justice P B Varale on Monday took suo moto (on hisown) cognizance of the issue, seeking the government's replyby April 27.

Earlier on Monday, the Nagpur bench of the high courttoo had asked the government to file its reply on the issue inresponse to petitions filed by journalist associations.

The government has prohibited door-to-door delivery ofnewspapers in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

"This court is aware of the unforeseen situationbeing faced by the world in general, i.e. the outbreak ofCOVID-19 pandemic in general and India in particular," JusticeVarale said.

"It is also not in dispute that the Central Governmentand the State Government are taking various steps/measures todeal with the situation," he said.

The court, however, noted that while print media wasexempted from the lockdown, the Chief Minister has prohibiteddoor-to-door delivery of newspapers.

"One also fails to understand the logic behind thesituation, wherein the newspapers are permitted to be printedand published but they are not permitted to be distributeddoor-to-door," the court said in the order.

"One also fails to understand, when the stategovernment is permitting purchase of newspapers at the stalls,as to why the door-to-door delivery is prohibited," it said.

By allowing people to go to stalls and shops to buynewspapers, the government was giving them a reason or excuseto step out of houses during the lockdown, the court noted.

Door-to-door distribution would ensure that people donot come out on the streets to purchase newspapers, it said.

Though digital copies were available online, it wasnot possible for the majority of the people to access themas they may not be familiar with the technology or they are"used to reading hard copy of a newspaper", the high courtadded. SPKRK KRK