In order to protect citizens’ right of freedom of speech and prevent the Central and state governments from misusing their powers to ban a newspaper, publication or book, the Supreme Court has laid down nine guidelines for them to evaluate the “objectionable” publication.
The power to ban a publication is given to the government under sections of the CrPC and a publication can mainly be proscribed for offences listed under Secs 153 and 153A of the IPC.
IPC Secs 153 and 153A deal with wanton provocation intended to cause riots, and promoting enmity between different groups of society, and carry a maximum imprisonment of one year and five years respectively.