world ⚖️ Can legislature silence free speech? SC weighs in
A seven-judge Constitution Bench will start hearing petitions regarding legislative privilege vs. free speech. This case involves The Hindu's 2003 editorial criticizing Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly. The original issue dates back to April 2003, when the Assembly tried to arrest five senior journalists. The apex court is examining if critical speech breaches legislative privilege under Article 194. The matter has seen multiple referrals, with the next key hearing set for August 12, 2026. ⚖️