( 1 ) A fundamental question of far reaching importance going to the root of administration of justice as adopted in our country is raised in this group of Criminal Revision Applications. The applicant in each of the applications who is original accused is the editor of a daily news paper JAI HIND published simultaneously from Rajkot and Ahmedabad In the Rajkot edition of the JAI HIND daily published on 21 January 1969 22 January 1969 23 January 1969 25 January 1969 and 4th February 1969 there appeared certain articles adversely reflecting upon the purity and efficiency of administration in Police Department of Rajkot district. One Mr. P. G. Navani was the District Superintendent of Police Rajkot District at the relevant time. Certain passages in the said articles in particular and all articles in general were considered to be per se defamatory of Mr. Navani a public servant in of his duty. The State Government accordingly directed the Public Prosecutor of Rajkot to file five different complaints against the applicant for having committed an offence under sec. 500 of the Indian Penal Code in the Court of Sessions at Rajkot. The Public Prosecutor filed five separate c