The Hindu : Karnataka News : Warrants issued to TV channels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 13, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Warrants issued to TV channels

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 12. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of bailable warrants to two private television channels and the producers and directors of two crime-based serials on a contempt petition by an advocate from Bangalore.

A Division Bench comprising Justice A.M. Farooq and Justice B.S. Patil ordered issue of warrants against Udaya Television network, ETV and the producers and directors of the crime-based serials being aired by the channels every night.

The petitioner, A.V. Amarnathan, said Udaya TV was telecasting "Crime Story" produced and directed by Balakrishna Kakatkar, while ETV was telecasting "Crime Diary" produced and directed by Ravi Belegere. He said the serials being telecast between 10 p.m., and 10.30 p.m., dealt with crimes, recording and telecasting the views of policemen and even interviewing criminals, victims and their family members.

In some cases, the serials presented aspects of the case even before the first information report (FIR) is filed, he said.

Thus, it is akin to trial by the media. These programmes prejudice and interfere with judicial proceedings, he contended.

The petitioner noted that a Division Bench had permitted action against the channels if they continued to distort facts and present cases before they were heard by the courts. He said the continued telecast of the serials constituted contempt of court.

He urged the Bench to take cognisance of the continued telecast and initiate contempt proceedings.

The Bench said it was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made out against the accused for having committed criminal contempt. It ordered issue of bailable warrants against the two television networks and Mr. Kakatkar and Mr. Belegere, and to secure their presence. It adjourned further hearing on the case to February 14.

Govt. pulled up

The High Court came down heavily on the State Government for the sorry state of affairs in government hospitals in Bangalore. It directed the Government to fill vacant posts within three months.

A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Nauvdip Kumar Sodhi, and Justice B. Padmaraj passed the order on a public interest litigation by Krishna Bhat of Bangalore. The petitioner had highlighted the poor state of affairs in government hospitals and had prayed for appointment of a court commissioner to inspect the hospitals and submit a report.

When the matter came up for hearing today, the Director of Health and Family Welfare submitted an affidavit on the number of vacancies in the hospitals, the bed strength and equipment.

Expressing its displeasure over the affidavit, the Bench said it was conspicuously silent on when the bed and staff strength in the hospitals were fixed and when it was last revised.

When it was pointed out that some hospitals were attached to teaching institutions, the Bench asked the Government whether the hospitals were meant to teach the students or treat patients.

It asked the Director of Health Services to file an additional affidavit on the equipment available in the hospitals and those needed. It directed the Resident Medical Officers of the hospitals to furnish affidavits on the steps taken to maintain hygiene. In case of autonomous hospitals it directed the Medical Superintendent to furnish these details.

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