"Delhi High Court Declines Plea by Times Now Navbharat to Lift Ban on Airing 'Operation Paap' Against AAP MLA
In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition put forth by news channel Times Now Navbharat, seeking to overturn a restraining order issued by a trial court. The order had prohibited the channel from broadcasting the controversial program 'Operation Paap,' which allegedly featured an incriminating conversation between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan and notorious gangster Kapil Sangwan.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, presiding over the case, cited provisions within the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) and emphasized the availability of legal remedies for the news channel. As a result, the High Court decided against intervening with the trial court's ruling at this juncture.
Nevertheless, the Bench stipulated that if Times Now Navbharat submits its response in the ongoing proceedings before the trial court by August 28, the case will be definitively resolved within a week from that point. Justice Arora urged all involved parties to collaborate with the trial court and refrain from seeking unnecessary adjournments.
The episode in question, titled 'Sarji ka vidhayak Gangster ka Sahayak' (Legislator's Assistant, Gangster's Aide), was broadcast on August 17 by Times Now Navbharat. The program featured an alleged leaked audio recording wherein Balyan was purportedly discussing extortion plans with Sangwan.
On the same day, Balyan initiated a lawsuit asserting that the audio clip's authenticity remained unverified and that it was tarnishing his reputation. Balyan also claimed to have received threats from Sangwan, leading him to file police complaints.
In response, Judge Ajay Kumar Malik of the Dwarka court issued an order restraining the channel from airing the show.
During the High Court proceedings, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh represented the channel's stance, arguing that revealing the connection between politicians and gangsters is a fundamental right and responsibility of the media. Singh contended that the trial court's order amounted to muzzling the press, which is inconsistent with the constitutional framework.
The channel further defended its position, asserting that the program's content was based on factual reporting.
Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur acted on behalf of Balyan, countering that the trial court's order had been prompted by statements made by Times Now Navbharat's legal representatives. Mathur emphasized the gravity of these statements, noting that there should be a level of integrity associated with such declarations. He also highlighted that the channel had the legal option to challenge the order through the appellate court and was yet to file a response in the trial court.
Senior Advocates Maninder Singh and Sandeep Sethi, along with advocates Kunal Tandon, Niti Jain, and Varnalee Mishra, represented Times Now Navbharat in the case. Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, alongside advocates BS Jakhar, Vikram Singh Jakhar, and Sandeep Sharma, advocated for Naresh Balyan's position."
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TAGS: Delhi High Court Times Now Navbharat Operation Paap AAP MLA Naresh Balyan Kapil Sangwan trial court order restraining order broadcast ban leaked audio reputation damage police complaints constitutional rights media freedom factual reporting Senior Advocate Maninder Singh Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur Judge Ajay Kumar Malik constitutional scheme High Court proceedings legal remedies appellate court news channel gangster nexus legal representatives muzzling the press Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi advocates Kunal Tandon Niti Jain Varnalee Mishra advocates BS Jakhar Vikram Singh Jakhar Sandeep Sharma.
