The court said that Times Now, India Today and News18.com would be served notices through the TV channels’ internal watchdog, the NBSA.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court served notices to Times Now, India Today and Mukesh Ambani-owned News18.com after climate activist Disha Ravi filed writ petition alleging violative reporting by these media outlets.
Making a desperate defence of the Delhi Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the Police had not leaked any details to the media. Representing Ms Disha, her lawyer Amit Sibal called it a “most unfortunate case where the media, in order to gain a few thousand TRPs, is trampling over the rights of the citizens.”
According to Livelaw, SG Mehta said: “My Lord, there is no leakage from the police.” Mr Sibal, responding to SG’s claim, said: “They can say whatever, but the facts speak otherwise. She was arrested on 13th, and the material was seized by police.”
Mr Sibal added that the media itself said that they obtained the records from the police. “How are they accessing these records?” he asked. SG Mehta, replying to his allegation, said: “Nothing is being shared. This is a call for media attention.”
Mr Sibal, taking objection to Mehta’s use of ‘media attention’ phrase, told the court: “A 22-year-old has been arrested, and it’s being called a call for media attention?”
The Delhi high court directed SG Mehta to file an affidavit by Friday morning and confirm that nothing was leaked by the Delhi Police. The court also said that Times Now, India Today and News18.com would be served notices through the TV channels’ internal watchdog, the NBSA. The matter would come up for hearing on Friday.
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