High Court Issues Notice to State on Accreditation Card Expiry; Hearing Posted to February 26

Hyderabad, Feb 12, (Maxim News): The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued notice to the State Government in a petition concerning the impending expiry of accreditation cards for journalists, which are set to lapse on February 28, 2026.

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The matter was heard by the Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin. The petition was filed by the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists’ Federation, raising serious concerns regarding the expiration of accreditation cards and alleged violations under the Telangana Media Accreditation Rules, 2025, G.O. Ms. No. 252, and its subsequent amendments.

During the hearing, the Hon’ble Court took serious note of the submission that its previous directions had not been complied with by the respondents. The Bench directed the learned Public Prosecutor to file a counter-affidavit on or before February 26, 2026, and further instructed all respondents to submit their responses before the next date of hearing.

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The Court observed that any delay in timely action could result in journalists losing professional access due to the lapse of accreditation cards. Considering the urgency and the approaching deadline of February 28, the matter was advanced and posted for further hearing on February 26, 2026, to ensure resolution before the end of the month. Notably, while the Public Prosecutor sought time until March 12 citing a similar listed matter, the Court intervened and directed an earlier hearing in view of the accreditation deadline.

The Federation has sought quashing of G.O. Ms. No. 252 and the amended G.O. Rt. No. 103, along with appropriate directions to prevent expiry of existing accreditation cards during the pendency of the case.

Appearing for the Federation, Advocate Barkat Ali Khan submitted that any break in the validity of accreditation would infringe the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression and to life, liberty, and dignity guaranteed under the Constitution of India, and would adversely affect hundreds of journalists’ families. He emphasized that accreditation cards function as a crucial institutional safeguard for members of the media fraternity and that the impugned Government Orders are violative of Articles 14, 16, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and contradictory to the respondents’ own governing rules.

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The Court’s intervention underscores continuing judicial concern regarding the implementation, legality, and renewal mechanism of accreditation cards in the State.

The outcome of the hearing scheduled for February 26, 2026, is expected to determine the immediate course of action in the matter (Maxim News) 

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