Delhi High Court: Navin Chawla, J., restrained from broadcasting a show titled ‘Bindas Bol’ on Sudarshan TV News channel.
Petitioner’s Counsel placed the video clip of the trailer that has been released by respondent 3 and 4 for the programme ‘Bindas Bol’ that was scheduled to be telecasted on respondent 3 TV Channel yesterday i.e. 28-08-2020 at 8.00 P.M.
Further, he submitted that the said trailer itself shows that the programme in question could be in complete violation of the Programme Code.
Reliance of Sections 5, 19 and 20(3) of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 was placed.
Respondent 1 submitted that on several complaints been received by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting a notice for clarification was issued to respondent 3, which states as follows:
“This Ministry has received several complaints regarding a programme which is proposed to be broadcast on Sudarshan News TV from 28.08.2020 at 8.00 PM. In the promo of the proposed programme which is viral on Social Media Platforms, Shri Chavhanke for Sudarshan TV News Channel is raising concerns how people of a particular community have suddenly increased in IAS and IPS cadre, etc.
2. You are, therefore, requested to clarify on the above in the context of the Programme Code enshrined under Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 by return mail.”
Hence in view of the above stated, Court restrained respondent 3 and 4 from telecasting the programme titled ‘Bindas Bol’ till the next date of hearing.[Syed Mujtaba Athar v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1091, decided on 28-08-2020]
