Common Cause v. Union of India
Background
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. Public-interest organisations challenged government advertisements that promoted political personalities and achievements at public expense. They sought safeguards distinguishing useful public information from partisan publicity. The Union and States argued that existing advertising policies and earlier court decisions already addressed the issue.
Decision Breakdown
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. The Court rejected the preliminary objections and found that existing policies regulated media selection and payment rather than partisan advertising content. Government communication served a legitimate democratic purpose, but unreasonable expenditure for private or party benefit remained open to judicial review. The Court recognised the need for substantive safeguards and appointed a three-member committee, assisted by the Information and Broadcasting Secretary, to study practices and suggest guidelines within three months. It declined simply to adopt Australian rules proposed by the petitioners. This order kept the proceedings pending and did not itself issue the final advertising guidelines.
Lesson Learnt
Publicly funded advertisements should serve public information rather than personal political promotion. This order initiated the process of creating safeguards; readers should distinguish that step from the final rules issued later.