Tripura: CPM mouthpiece moves High Court challenging RNI decision

Tripura Opposition party’s — CPM — mouthpiece Daily Desher Katha has filed a writ petition challenging the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI)’s decision to withdraw its registration in the High Court of Tripura.

Sharing the details, former editor of Daily Desher Katha and secretary of the Daily Desher Katha Society Goutam Das stated that they have filed a case against RNI for illegal withdrawal of Registration. He took to Facebook and wrote, “A writ petition has been filed today in Tripura High Court on behalf of Daily Desher Katha against illegal order of District Magistrate, West Tripura for stopping publication of the newspaper and also against RNI for illegal withdrawal of Registration.”

Editor Samir Paul said, as reported by Indian Express, “We are not aware yet when the petition will be admitted for hearing in the High Court. But we have filed a writ petition challenging the decision of RNI to withdraw our registration.” He also alleged that stopping publication of the daily was part of the people ‘illegally grabbing’ the Agartala Press Club.  However, Agartala Press Club Secretary Pranab Sarkar denied the charges and said that they are baseless.

Earlier, the matter was heard by West Tripura District Magistrate Sandeep Namdeo Mahatme and said that the newspaper was found to have violated several sections of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. As the matter is now with the High Court, the judgement will be crucial.

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