EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS PVT. LTD. & ORS. vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 19(1)(g) protect civil rights arising from contracts, and issues related to such rights must be resolved through civil proceedings rather than writ petitions under Articles 32 and 226. The Court clarified that the freedom of the press is encompassed within Article 19(1)(a) and established that the Lt. Governor of Delhi has the authority to manage land allotments under the Delhi Development Act, 1957. The judgment also addressed the validity of construction permissions under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, and the implications of mala fides in administrative actions, reinforcing the principles of ultra vires and promissory estoppel against the government.