HC seeks Centre's reply on plea against Shunglu panel report

The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Centre on a plea by UK-based satellite service provider SIS Live for setting aside of the Shunglu committee report on the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) to the extent it adversely affects the company.
SIS Live, which provided broadcast services to Prasar Bharati for CWG 2010, contended before Justice Manmohan that adverse comments have been recorded against it by the V K Shunglu High Level Committee and the findings have affected its reputation.
The company has said that the adverse findings were recorded without giving it a hearing and the report of the panel is being used by other authorities, like CBI and Income Tax department, to pass orders against it.

Justice Manmohan issued notice to Cabinet Secretariat, the committee, ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Youth Affairs and Sports, Delhi government and Prasar Bharati and sought their responses by August 12, the next date of hearing.
The court also told the goverment to use the findings in the panel's report for itself, saying it cannot be binding on SIS as it was not heard by the panel.
The Shunglu committee was set up after CWG 2010 to probe allegations of corruption charges in the conduct of the games.

SIS has claimed that the findings recorded against it by the panel "adversely affects its rights, reputation and commercial interest".

It has sought that the Centre and other authorities be restrained from using or acting upon, in any manner, the report of the panel in any proceedings against the company.
Advocate Ravjyot Singh, appearing for the Centre, said that the panel was not required to call SIS for a hearing and it did not ask the other authorities to rely upon the report in their proceedings against the company.
SIS has alleged in its petition that CBI lodged an FIR against it on March 3, 2011 based on the findings recorded in the panel's report.
It has also contended that even the Income Tax department relied upon the report while assessing its taxable income.

SIS also said that Prasar Bharati withheld dues payable to the company for services rendered by relying on the panel's report.