By: Express News ServiceChandigarh | January 20, 2026 10:01 AM IST 2 min readThe application challenging the restraint was moved on July 17, 2025, by the Active Journalists Union of Punjab (AJUP) through its president, Rajinder Singh Taggar. (file photo of Bikram Singh Majithia)Ending a six-month legal battle, a special court of Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Singh has set aside a Mohali Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) order, barring mediapersons from sitting inside the courtroom during the trial of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, restoring journalists’ right to observe court proceedings in the high-profile case.The application challenging the restraint was moved on July 17, 2025, by the Active Journalists Union of Punjab (AJUP) through its president, Rajinder Singh Taggar. The plea, argued by advocate Damandeep Singh, opposed the CJM’s order that had been passed with the mutual consent of counsel for the Vigilance Bureau and counsel for the accused.Arguing the matter, Damandeep Singh contended that the CJM’s directive violated the principle of an open court as envisaged under Section 366 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and infringed upon the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. He further submitted that an order of a lower court cannot bind a superior court of an Additional Sessions Judge.With the trial court repeatedly adjourning the matter, advocate Amaninder Singh Sekhon approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking an expeditious decision. Acting on the petition, the high court on January 13 sought details about the adjournments and interim orders passed by the trial court.Addressing mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sekhon disclosed that the matter had seen as many as 28 adjournments over a period of five months and 29 days.Meanwhile, another petition pending before the high court seeks permission for journalists to videograph or take photographs within district court complexes, excluding courtrooms for their respective platforms. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for January 28.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd