Can't Attribute Minister Comment Vicariously To Government: Supreme Court

A minister's statement cannot be attributed "vicariously" to the government even when applying the principle of collective responsibility, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday and held that there can be no additional restrictions on freedom of speech for public functionaries.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice SA Nazeer said no additional restrictions, except those mentioned under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, can be imposed on a public functionary's right to freedom of speech and expression.

"Statement made by a minister even if traceable to any affairs of state or protecting the government cannot be attributed vicariously to the government even applying the principle of collective responsibility.

"Fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) can be exercised even against other instrumentalities other than the state," the bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai, AS Bopanna, V Ramasubramanian, said.

Justice BV Nagarathna, who was also part of the bench, agreed that greater restriction cannot be imposed on free speech, in addition to grounds under Article 19.

She, however, said such statements can be vicariously attributed to the government in case a minister makes disparaging statements in his "official capacity".

Justice Nagarathna said hate speech strikes at the foundational values by making society unequal and also attacks citizens from diverse backgrounds especially "in a country like us that is 'Bharat'." She said freedom of speech and expression is a much needed right so citizens are well informed and educated on governance.

"They are required to understand and measure their words having regard to the likely consequences on public sentiment and behaviour and also be aware of of the example they are setting on the fellow citizens to follow," she said.

Justice Nagarathna said it is for the party to control the speeches made by their ministers which can be done by forming a code of conduct.

"Any citizen who feels attacked by such speeches made or hate speech by public functionary etc can approach court for civil remedies. It is for parliament in its wisdom to enact a law to restrain public functionary from making disparaging remarks against fellow citizens bearing in mind Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(2)," she said.

The court was hearing a plea filed by a man whose wife and daughter were allegedly gang-raped in July 2016 on a highway near Bulandshahr. He was seeking transfer of the case to Delhi and lodging of an FIR against then Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for his controversial statement that the gang-rape case was a "political conspiracy".

The judgement came on a question of whether restrictions can be imposed on a public functionary's right to freedom of speech and expression.

The top court, which reserved its verdict on November 15, had said people holding public offices should exercise self-restraint and not blabber things that are disparaging or insulting to other people in the country.

The Supreme Court had said this approach is part of our constitutional culture and there is no need for it to formulate a code of conduct for public functionaries.

The court had noted that irrespective of what Article 19(2) may say, there is a constitutional culture in the country where there is an inherent limitation or a restriction on what people holding responsible positions say.

Article 19(2) relates to the powers of the State to make laws imposing reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of speech and expression in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country, public order, decency, morality etc.

A three-judge bench had on October 5, 2017 referred to the Constitution bench various issues for adjudication, including whether a public functionary or a minister can claim freedom of speech while expressing views on sensitive matters.

The need for an authoritative pronouncement on the issue arose as there were arguments that a minister cannot take a personal view and his statements have to be in sync with government policy.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)