HC's nod for telecast of show on scam involving O P Chautala

The Delhi High Court today set aside the order of its single judge bench restraining telecast of a TV show, 'Crime Patrol Dastak', based on teachers recruitment scam in which former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and 54 others were convicted.
"The appeal is allowed. The impugned order dated February 22, 2013 is set aside," a bench headed by Justice Pradeep Nandrajog said.
"The single judge has not even viewed the proposed programme, much less read the transcript thereof. Unless the same was viewed and the transcript read, it would be impossible to find out whether the publication made comments on the merits of the case or upon the character of the accused for the reason the trial is over resulting in a conviction being sustained.

"Witnesses have spoken. Documents have been proved. The evidence is in public domain. The broadcast claims to be a dramatic description of the documentary and ocular evidence. Whether or not the presentation commented on the merits of the case could only be determined after viewing the proposed programme and reading transcript," the court said.
Allowing the plea of Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd, the bench, also comprising Justice Pratibha Rani, said the former Harnaya Chief Minister and others have not been able to demonstrate that "a substantial risk of prejudice" would be caused to them if the programme is telecast.

The single judge bench had allowed the plea of Chautala, Vidya Dhar and Sher Singh Badshami to stop telecast of the show on Sony Tv channel on the ground that it would prejudice their case. They have recently moved the High Court against the conviction for their alleged roles in the recruitment of 3206 junior basic trained teachers in the state.