Professional Documents
Culture Documents
This case concerns writ petitions challenging the levy of an import duty on newsprint.
The petitioners contended that the duty led to an increase in cost of newspapers and
a drop in circulation, thereby adversely affecting freedom of speech and expression.
The Supreme Court of India allowed the petitions and directed the government to re-
examine its taxation policy in light of the effect on freedom of the press. The purpose
of the Working Journalist Act was to ameliorate conditions of newspaper workmen. It
did not affect fundamental right to freedom of press directly though it might impose
greater financial burden and may result in closing down some newspaper.
BENNETT COLEMAN & CO. (P) LTD V. PUNYA PRIYA
DAS GUPTA
In this case, the petitioner, after resigning from the company, claimed his dues
for the leave period. While receiving his full and final settlement from the
company, he signed a receipt which had no mention of the payment of dues
during the leave period. The Supreme Court held that the petitioner can claim
his dues for the leave period, since he has not waived his claims for such dues in
the full and final settlement.