Delhi liquor scam: High Court advises news outlets to “ensure transmission based on official press releases”

The Delhi High Court ordered news outlets to follow its rules on Monday and to make sure that all broadcasts on the liquor scam case are based on the official press releases issued by the investigating authorities. The bench also sent notice to the five networks of which Vijay Nair had been accused. He claimed […]

High court
by Simran Singh - November 21, 2022, 3:28 pm

The Delhi High Court ordered news outlets to follow its rules on Monday and to make sure that all broadcasts on the liquor scam case are based on the official press releases issued by the investigating authorities.

The bench also sent notice to the five networks of which Vijay Nair had been accused. He claimed that confidential material was getting out to the media. The bench of Justice Yashwant Varma issued the aforementioned instructions after hearing the plea submitted by businessman Vijay Nair. February 7, 2023, has been set aside for the subject.

The bench read the status report and listened to the arguments put up by the attorneys for the CBI and ED.

The CBI attorney claimed that the organisation released three news releases. What has been broadcast is not included in the press releases.

The attorney for ED claimed that no press releases were made.

Where are they getting their information from, as Justice Verma questioned the attorneys?

The counsellor retorted that the channels were the only ones with an answer.

Some of the channels, according to advocate Nisha Bhambhani, who represents News Broadcaster and Digital Standard Authority (NBDSA), are not our partners. We don’t keep an eye on what they broadcast.

“If self-regulation is a mere eyewash, then why should we not disband you?,” Justice Varma asked the counsel for the NBDSA while expressing displeasure over the reporting made by news channels.

The lawyer was questioned by the bench regarding a few channels and whether they are members or not. Where do they obtain the data pertaining to the disclosure to the CBI?

You ask them over the phone. I can get in touch and ask them to take down the content, according to the NBDA’s legal representative.

Some of the channels, according to the attorney, are members of the News Broadcaster and Digital Association (NBDA). I won’t know where they are obtaining their information from.

The bench took note of the submission and instructed Implement NBDA to examine what had been broadcast.

According to the court, the broadcast in the present case did not follow the guidelines and directives as well as the press releases that were released.

The lawyer was questioned by the bench regarding a few channels and whether they are members or not. Where do they obtain the data pertaining to the disclosure to the CBI?

“You ask them over the phone.” “I can get in touch and ask them to take down the content,” the NBDA’s legal representative said.

Some of the channels, according to the attorney, are members of the News Broadcaster and Digital Association (NBDA). “I won’t know where they are obtaining their information from.”

The bench took note of the submission and instructed Implement NBDA to check what had been broadcast.

According to the court, the broadcast in the present case did not follow the guidelines and directives as well as the press releases that were issued.

“This is not a case where, at least at this stage, it can be said that the information was collectively leaked or provided by the investigating agencies,” the bench said.
“What the news channels publish has to be in line with the disclosures made by the CBI and ED… it could be something that is reflected in the order; where are they getting it from?” It asked.

The court also ordered the NBDSA to determine whether the channel complied with the rules.

Businessman Vijay Nair has filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, claiming that the CBI and ED are leaking sensitive information about his case to the media and violating his rights as an accused person.