Chennai: "I am delighted', said the Editor-in-Chief of 'The Hindu', N Ram, when he was informed of the Supreme Court's stay on the execution of the arrest warrants issued against five of its staffers by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker K Kalimuthu.

'Our confidence in the Supreme Court and highest judicial forums has not failed us', he told reporters soon after the Supreme Court stay.

Ram said he never had an iota of doubt that their cause would fail. He thanked the lawyers for preparing the papers 'in a good way'.

He said 'I stand for the cause of press freedom and I thank all, who stood with us'.

Later addressing the staff of the Hindu, who had gathered in front of the office on hearing the Apex Court's verdict, Ram said his confidence in the Supreme stood vindicated.

He said the five staffers, whose arrest warrants had been stayed by the Supreme Court, had been asked not to attend the office till the Court's order was clearly informed to the authorities.

'The Hindu' staff, in a jubilant mood, bursted crackers and distributed sweets.

PTI