Right to fair trial can't overshadow freedom of speech: Ram Jethmalani

New Delhi: A person's right to free and fair trial enjoys no primacy over the right to freedom of speech and expression of the media, senior counsel Ram Jethmalani told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Fundamental rights could only be restricted by a legislation passed by parliament and no guidelines by the apex court could shrink them, Jethmalani told the apex court constitution bench of Chief Justice SH Kapadia, Justice DK Jain, Justice SS Nijjar, Justice RP Desai and Justice JS Khehar.

The court was hearing an application by Sahara India Real Estate Corp voicing its grievance over a news channel reporting its proposal made to the Securities and Exchange Board of India on securing the money it mopped up from the market.

Ram Jethmalani said a person\'s right to free and fair trial enjoys no primacy over the right to freedom of speech and expression of the media.

The court earlier said that it would frame guidelines for reporting on sub-judice matters.

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