A public interest litigation has been filed before the Delhi High Court to direct Arnab Goswami, as well as his media company which runs Republic TV, to immediately refrain from publishing or broadcasting any information or news related to any criminal investigation in the name of investigative journalism.The PIL was listed for physical hearing before a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan.
The PIL also seeks a direction to the Central Government to frame rules, regulations or guidelines to govern reporting or broadcasting of any news related to any criminal investigation by Republic Tv or any media outlet.
Contentions in the Plea
Mohd Khalil’s , the petitioner, concern that Arnab Goswami and his news media company Republic Tv , through their broadcasts and publications, have been reporting distorted and misleading facts related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Since the broadcast is capable of interfering with and obstructing the administration of justice, the Petitioner has also prayed that contempt proceedings be initiated against Arnab Goswami and his media company
This prejudicial reporting, the Petitioner asserts, has resulted in the infringement of the right to fair trial of Rhea Chakraborty.
“The entire charade is nothing but an exercise to increase the TRPs and viewership at the cost of an accused’s right to fair trial..”, the petition reads.
The Court asked Petitioner to come prepared with the draft rules that he proposes to be implemented.
The matter would be heard next on November 27.
