The Andhra Pradesh high court on Tuesday suspended a circular issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under rule (7) (sub-rule 3) of Cable Networks Regulation Act banning telecast of political advertisements on electronic media.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Devender Gupta and Justice G Rohini, passed the orders on a bunch of writ petitions filed by Gemini, Maa and other regional TV channels.

The petitioners had challenged the circular on the ground that it was without jurisdiction and was violative of the right to information and right to business. They also contended that Article 19 (2) of the Constitution stipulated that authorities could impose reasonable restrictions and stop telecasts only in case of a communal flare-up or a threat to national security.