The Delhi High Court has taken notice of a petition filed by The Caravan magazine, which contests a directive from the Union Government to remove its article detailing accusations of torture and murder involving the Indian Army in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Justice Subramonium Prasad has requested a response from the Central Government and scheduled a hearing for May 9th regarding the matter.

"Instructed to issue notice. Counsel representing the Respondent acknowledges receipt of the notice. A response must be filed within four weeks from today. Any counter-response should be submitted before the next scheduled hearing," stated the court in an order issued on March 7th.

The petition has been filed by Delhi Press Patra Prakashan, the publisher of The Caravan magazine. The petition contests the directive issued by the Central Government on February 12, instructing the magazine to remove certain articles from its publication and 11 URLs from its website.

According to an article by the news portal The Wire, the plea argues that the government's directive infringes upon the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, as well as the freedom of the press guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. Additionally, it contends that the order violates the right to equality as enshrined in Article 14.

The magazine asserts that the Central Government did not adhere to the principles of natural justice, as it did not provide a copy of the complaint or the allegations contained therein.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Chander Uday Singh, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Harsh Bora, Ms. Maulshree Pathak, Mr. Amjid Maqbool, Ms. Viddusshi, Ms. Bidya Mohanty and Ms. Katyayani Shurud, Advocates

Counsel for Respondent: Mr. Apoorv Kurup, CGSC with Mr. Akhil Hasija, Advocate

Case Title: DELHI PRESS PATRA PRAKASHAN PRIVATE LIMITED v. UNION OF INDIA