PIL in Bombay HC seeks censoring authority for TV channels

The Bombay High Court today issued notice to the Union Government seeking its response to a public interest litigation against obscenity and violence in the films and other programmes on TV in violation of the Cinematograph Act.
The bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka sought government's reply by October 7.
Petitioner Pratibha Nathani, a college lecturer, has demanded that a regulatory authority be appointed to regulate the content of programmes aired by TV channels.
Advocate Mukesh Vashi, her lawyer, said the Centre should increase the strength of the Central Board of Film Certification for prior censoring of TV programmes including music videos, serials and movies.

According to the petitioner, she had complained to the police, the CBFC and other authorities against the TV channels which violated the Cinematograph Act, but no action was taken.
Pending the decision on this PIL, police and other respondents be asked to take action against TV channels named in her complaint, it says.
Advocate Vashi also argued that minors can't watch films meant for adult audience in theatres, but on television such films are aired freely.