14: 45 PM (Updated)– The Delhi High Court grants two-weeks time to vacate Herald House. Delhi High Court dismisses the petition filed by Associated Journals Limited challenging the eviction order of Oct 30 by land and development authority.
The Centre in its eviction order had mentioned a violation of lease conditions by the publisher of National Herald newspaper.
13: 30 PM -The Delhi High Court on Friday will pass an order on Associated of Journal Ltd. – Owner of National Herald Newspaper’s plea challenging the Centre Government’s decision in which it canceled its lease and ordered it to vacate Herald House on grounds of violation of lease clauses.
The publisher had approached the high court on November 12 against the October 30 order of the Urban Development Ministry, asking it to vacate the building by November 15 stating that Herald House’s 56-year-old lease to Associated Journals Limited had ended.
The Publishers in the plea termed the Centre Government decision as ‘Politically Motivated’. It further stated that Order is intent to deceive, bais and is Politically Influenced.
The Petition filed by the ALJ, Reads: “The proceedings have been initiated for the
purposes of scuttling the voices of dissent and the voice of the largest opposition party in the country. It is a clear affront to the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a)of the Constitution and a deliberate attempt to suppress and destroy the legacy of the first Prime Minister of the country Jawaharlal Nehru, by the powers that be”.
Associated Journals Ltd. also accused the Government and said, Shutting Down of National Herald Premises is an attempt to suppress and destroy the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru.