SC refers plea of Sun TV to bench headed by CJI

Sun had sought a stay on attachment of its assets worth Rs 742 cr by Enforcement Directorate

A Supreme Court bench on Friday refused to hear a plea of Sun TV Network, seeking a stay on attachment of its assets worth Rs 742 crore by Enforcement Directorate and said it should be heard by the Bench that has been hearing 2G spectrum cases. A bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant ordered this after the government said the issue pertained to the 2G spectrum case.

"Let it be heard by the designated bench (which hears 2G cases). I have told (Kapil) Sibal (appearing for Sun TV) sternly that unless there is a judicial order, that other bench can take it up. I will not take it up," the bench said and referred the plea of the firm to the bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) P S Narasimha, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that he was instructed to say that the matter pertains to 2G case. The ASG also said it was unlikely that any further step would be taken by the ED till the matter is taken up by other bench on Monday.

Meanwhile, the information and broadcasting ministry has sought further details from the home ministry on the reasons for denial of security clearance to Sun TV Network channels so that it can justify its action if the matter reaches court. It had also written to the home ministry earlier to know the reasons for denial of a security nod to the Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV network.