Bennett Coleman v Union of India (1972) | Newsprint Policy Case Explained

Case 3 of 30 in Law Easy's Media Law series. Bennett Coleman and Co. v. Union of India, Supreme Court of India, decided 1972. FACTS The newsprint policy for 1972-73 fixed a ceiling of 10 pages for newspapers, barred a group owning two or more papers from starting a new paper or edition, and stopped it from shifting newsprint between its own papers. Bennett Coleman, publisher of The Times of India, and others challenged it. The government argued that it only regulated the import of a commodity. WHAT THE COURT HELD By a majority, in a judgment by Justice A. N. Ray, the Court held that what matters is the direct effect of a measure on the fundamental right, not its object or form. The page ceiling and the bans were struck down because they controlled the growth and circulation of newspapers. Quotas for scarce newsprint remained possible. Shareholders do not lose their fundamental rights by forming a company. Justice K. K. Mathew dissented. EXAM POINT This is the landmark case on the effect test. Mention the dissent in a complete answer, and do not say that all newsprint regulation was invalid. PREVIOUS CASE: Sakal Papers (P) Ltd. v. Union of India - https://youtu.be/gI8INSBkxdQ NEXT CASE: Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra - https://youtu.be/djZypVSA5cE FULL PLAYLIST (all 30 cases in order): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY-t71WbMh6k COMPLETE LECTURE (all 30 cases, 1 hour 52 minutes): https://youtu.be/8AFvktrLPM4 Made for LL.B. students and for CLAT PG, UGC NET Law and judiciary exam preparation. Subscribe to Law Easy for the full law course. Notes: https://www.thelaweasy.com #MediaLaw #PressFreedom #LawEasy