Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal suffered a huge blow on Thursday as the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of a Delhi government circular on initiating defamation proceedings against media for publishing or broadcasting news that damage the reputation of the chief minister, the council of ministers and the government.

Delhi government sources said, "Supreme Court order is final. We will reply in the next hearing."

According to the circular issued by the Delhi state information and publicity department, if any officer associated with the Delhi government feels that a published or aired item damages his or the government's reputation, he could file a complaint with the Principal Secretary (Home).

Delhi government sources said, "Supreme Court order is final. We will reply in the next hearing."

The circular also stated that after getting a go-ahead from the Director (Prosecution), the matter should be referred to the law department and after taking approval from the government, a case should be filed.

Kejriwal came under sharp attack for his government's controversial circular, with Congress and BJP accusing him of being a "hypocrite" and "anti-democratic". In the past, Kejriwal had claimed that there is a "conspiracy to finish off the AAP" among a "very large" section of the media.