Cuttack, Sept. 3: Orissa High Court today asked the state government to clarify its position on the restrictions being imposed on access of reporters to the casualty wing and indoor wards at the SCB Medical College and Hospital.

The Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum filed a PIL after SCB authorities had imposed the restrictions on entry of journalists from both print and electronic media on June 28.

“The division bench of Chief Justice C. Nagappan and Justice Indrajit Mahanty, before which the petition came up today, posted the matter for hearing after 15 days along with the reply from the state government on the system being adopted for briefing reporters,” forum secretary Nishikanta Mishra said.

“Notices were accordingly issued to the SCB superintendent and the Cuttack revenue divisional commissioner to file their responses by then,” Mishra said.

The notice, issued by the hospital superintendent, stated: “No doctor or official is authorised to give any bite or news to reporters from electronic or print media without prior approval of the superintendent. Similarly, the journalists shall be allowed to enter the outdoor patient department, casualty or wards only after obtaining the superintendent’s permission.”

It also stated: “Instances have, however, come to the notice that despite the clear provision, many untoward situations are being encountered at the hospital. These at times obstruct and restrain doctors and officials to smoothly perform their duties. Due to this aforesaid undesirable trend and looking into the privacy of patients and hospital at large, it is directed that no third person other than patient attendant would be allowed to enter the ward.”

The forum sought the court order quashing the notice, alleging that the restrictions on entry of representatives of electronic and print media infringed upon freedom of press.