Top advocate Harish Salve, who appeared for the media house, expressed apprehension about the ongoing investigation saying that “ lately, there is a tendency for commissioners to be giving interviews. ”
Archive image of Arnab Goswami
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Republic Media Group to go to the Bombay High Court in the Television Rating Points (TRP) scam case registered by the Mumbai Police.
A court made up of Judge DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee said that the higher court has been working during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the media group should reach out to him as his office is located in Worli. “We are just saying that first approach the HC,” said Judge Malhotra, reported Bar and bench.
The hearing begins.
Senior Adv Harish Salve Appears for Republic Network
Judge Chandrachud: Your client’s office is in Worli, you can go to the flora source and approach Bombay HC according to article 226
– Bar and bank (@barandbench) October 15, 2020
“He has already filed a petition in the higher court. Receiving this petition without a higher court sends a message that we have no faith in the higher courts. Like any other citizen, he faces the difficult situation of the investigation under CrPC ( Code of Criminal Procedure) go to the higher court, “the higher court told the media company, reports LiveLaw.
Top advocate Harish Salve, who appeared for the media house, expressed apprehension about the ongoing investigation saying “lately, there is a tendency for commissioners to be giving interviews.” Salve then withdrew the petition freely to address the higher court.
During the hearing, the Mumbai police objected Republic TVof the petition, which says that Article 19 (1) (a) cannot be invoked to evade, frustrate and prevent an investigation by the competent authorities in the matter.
The Mumbai police had previously submitted an affidavit in the higher court requesting the dismissal of the statement submitted by the Republic Media group on the grounds that the investigation of an alleged crime cannot be invoked as grounds for violation of article 19 (1) (a ).
“The petitioners may not invoke Article 19 (1) (a) to evade, thwart, and prevent any investigation by the competent investigating agency on an alleged manipulation of the PRT ratings. The right under Article 19 (1) (to ) It is not a shield that can be used against any commission of a crime under the criminal legislation in force in the country, “he said.
The police alleged that the complaints contained in the contested FIR registered by them make it impossible to decide any crime at this stage.
“The investigation continues to advance with respect to FIR No. 143 of a year 2020. There is no exceptional circumstance whatsoever that justifies an interference by this Court in Article 32 of the Constitution,” the police said.
Mumbai Police also said that Republic TV is trying to turn the FIR in the PRT scam case into a “media spectacle”, and that the rights under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution cannot act as a shield against the commission of a crime, reports LiveLaw.
The response concludes with the observation that the petitioner (@republic) is directly interfering with and intimidating witnesses by issuing a press release, and that such a trial to the media is contrary to the administration of justice. #RepublicBharat #Republic #TRPScam pic.twitter.com/lNsFiSPOoV
– Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 15, 2020
In an advance petition filed in the Supreme Court last night, Mumbai police said Republic TV is abusing the legal process by running shows in the case and “intimidating witnesses,” it reports. NDTV.
“Republic TVThe demand to transfer the probe to CBI is wrong. Republic TV wants to thwart investigation into TRP ratings manipulation. The judgment of the media is against free and fair investigation. Arnab Goswami (Republic TVeditor-in-chief) is running programs where this case is discussed in depth and contacting witnesses and interfering and intimidating witnesses, “police said in the affidavit.
Mumbai Police also registered a case in the TRP scam and summoned Republic TVS Sundaram CFO for Research.
Police have already arrested channel owners Fakt Marathi Y Movie box if. The high court guilty plea was filed by Arg Outlier Media Private Limited, owner of Republic Media Network.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh had claimed that three channels, including Republic TV, manipulated the PRT.
The scandal came to light when BARC, an organization that measures TRP, filed a complaint about it through Hansa Research Group Pvt Ltd, police had said.
With PTI inputs
Disclaimer: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd, the publisher of Firstpost, also owns CNN-News18
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