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The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Karnataka High Court interim order restraining Kannada news channel Power TV from broadcasting and issued notice on its plea challenging the Karnataka HC order. The top court remarked that this was a "political vendetta."
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice to Centre on Power Smart Media Pvt Ltd plea and stayed the HC order till further hearing, which is listed on July 15. The top court also remarked that they are inclined to protect freedom of speech and expression. It looks like a case of political vendetta, the court observed, saying that the court will be failing in its duty if it does not protect freedom of speech and expression. Power TV, which has moved the top court through advocate on record Mithu Jainhas challenged Karnataka HC's division bench order dated July 3. On July 3, Karnataka HC had modified the order of the single judge to the extent that no timelines have been laid down by the single judge for disposing off the proceedings pursuant to show-cause notice dated February 9, 2024 and thus, directed the competent authority of Union of India to decide the proceedings pursuant to the show-cause notice dated. February 9, 2024, after giving an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioners and deciding the renewal application of the petitioners within a period of six weeks, the interim order dated June 25, 2024, whereby and whereunder the single judge had directed the petitioners to not continue with the broadcasting activity, shall continue. Power Smart Media Pvt Ltd, the petitioner, provides studio services to MITCOIN to run the News TV Channel under the name and style of "Power TV". Mitcoin Infraprojects Pvt Ltd is involved in the business of news and media and also runs the said TV channel. Mitcoin Infra had entered into agreement in 2021 with Power Smart media, thereby appointing it to avail studio services, procure advertisements and hire employees for functioning of the said news channel, for whom, the remuneration and salary were agreed upon to be paid by Mitcon. "Petitioner TV channel's duty to telecast news and current affairs towards billions of people, fundamental right to freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution, have been affected by the impugned Order of 03.07.2024, that has directed a stay on telecast subject to the competent authority's decision in the ongoing proceeding, within 6 weeks from the date of the impugned order and therefore, this Hon'ble court may be pleased to set aside the said order," the petitioner said. The respondents had levelled an allegation that channels were functioning without a valid licence. (ANI)
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