The Supreme Court cites a widely disputed press freedom report that places India below Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The report being referred to is the World Press Opportunity List positioning, which places India at 161 regarding editorial opportunity.

Experts have criticized the index for placing India below Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where journalists have been murdered in broad daylight, including an Indian photojournalist, and Army-ruled Pakistan, where journalists are frequently kidnapped and murdered even in safe havens outside the country.

"We are 161 with regards to editorial opportunity," Equity KM Joseph, who was going the seat, mentioned the observable fact during a conference on Tuesday (9 May), a report in the Bar and Seat said.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the second-highest-ranking law officer in the Central government, questioned the validity of such rankings.

He answered, "Relies upon individual giving the positioning, I can likewise have somebody give number one positioning to India...so it thoroughly depends."

This conversation took place during a case challenging the 11 convicts' remission by the Gujarat government.