The following is the letter from former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Markandey Katju, chairman of the Press Council of India, to Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan castigating the state government for the repeated attacks on media persons and organisations
 
Dear Chief Minister,
 
I have come to know through various sources about the attack and vandalism in the Mumbai office of Times of India.
 
This is totally unacceptable in a democracy. Under Article 19 (1 ) (a ) of the Constitution of India, the media enjoys freedom, and under section 13 of the Press Council of India Act, it is the duty of the Press Council to maintain the freedom of the Press. If mediapersons or media offices are physically attacked it is gross violation of the media's Constitutional right.
 
Your Government's duty is to maintain law and order, and also uphold the Constitution.
 
Please therefore let me know at the earliest what action have you taken against the hooligans who committed this outrage. In particular, please inform me whether the delinquents have been arrested and any criminal proceedings launched against them.
 
I may mention that this is not the first time that such an incident has happened in Maharashtra. I had written to you earlier also about such assaults and harrassment of journalists. I therefore must tell you now that the Press Council may now have to take a serious view of the matter and take suitable action if such incidents are not curbed in your state
 
Regards
 
Justice Katju
(Justice Markandey Katju)
Chairman, Press Council of India

(See: Press Council chief tells Maharashtra CM to crack down on attacks on media)