38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, March 29, 2024
Crime, Police And Law

Aaj Tak Served Legal Notice For Spreading Misinformation On Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death [Read Notice]

By Tanurag Ghosh      15 June, 2020 04:26 PM      0 Comments
Aaj Tak Legal Notice Spreading Misinformation Sushant Singh Rajput Death

On 14th June 2020, one of the dazzling icons of the Indian film industry, Sushant Singh Rajput, was found dead in his apartment in Bandra, Mumbai. This came as devastating news at a time, which has proved to be tough for many. His body was discovered by the house help who immediately contacted the police regarding the matter. 

At such a time, the death of a celebrity loved by many resulted in extensive coverage by media agencies that ran the story all day. Each house had its speculation and projected headlines accordingly. A practicing advocate in the High Court of Delhi, Mohit Singh has served a legal notice of defamation to the Editor-in-chief of the India Today Group for “demeaning” the loss of such a talented artist through its channel ‘Aaj Tak’. 

The channel flashed a headline comparing the act of suicide to a “hit wicket” in cricket terms. The notice stated-

“By this comment, Aaj Tak has insinuated that the death of Mr. Sushant by suicide, is equivalent to that of a batsman in cricket who breaks his own wicket with his bat or any part of his person while playing the ball or setting off for a run. The careless use of such language portrays that the news channel Aaj Tak, with its high viewership, has shed its responsibility towards the Indian masses.” 

As per the advocate, since the post-mortem of the body is yet to be done, the cause of death is not clear. Under these conditions, the news broadcasted by the channel is speculative, uncorroborated, and hurts the integrity of the young actor and his memory. In addition to negligently spreading the news of the intense situation at hand, the advocate also stated that he believes that the news channel has “normalized” the act of committing suicide, a threat faced by a large part of our society in contemporary times. 

These kinds of acts by news channels are punishable under Section-500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1872. The notice seeks to make sure that the news channel retracts its statements regarding the whole matter and issue an unconditional apology for “promoting and spreading misinformation about mental health issues.”

"By this Legal Notice, you are hereby required to retract the above mentioned statement, as well as any other statement of the similar nature published/displayed on your channel, and issue an unconditional public apology, for your vexatious act. The said apology should include that you take full responsibility for the mistake committed by your channel and that the news of suicide is a mere comment by the police and that the post-mortem report is awaited," the notice stated. 

While the society is becoming increasingly conscious of issues regarding mental health which people face in their lives, abandonment of the social responsibility broadcasting companies owe to the community will only prove fatal. It is about time the courts take up cognizance of the issue and define the duties and guidelines regarding such a critical issue of mental health.

 

 [Read Notice]



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM
youtuber-strings-plea-against-youtube-accounts-suspension-andhra-pradesh-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-google
Trending Top Stories
BREAKING: Youtuber String’s plea against Youtube accounts suspension: Andhra Pradesh HC issues notice to Centre, Google

Andhra Pradesh High Court issues notice to the Centre and Google LLC on Youtube journalist String’s plea against suspension of its accounts by Google (which owns Youtube).

28 March, 2024 11:26 AM

TOP STORIES

delhi-liquor-scam-court-remands-arvind-kejriwal-to-ed-custody-till-march-28-read-remand-application
Trending Judiciary
Delhi liquor scam: Court remands Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28 [Read Order]

Delhi liquor scam: Arvind Kejriwal remanded to ED custody till March 28. Court grants agency permission for interrogation in liquor policy case.

23 March, 2024 11:53 AM
sc-dismisses-centres-plea-for-review-of-judgment-directing-ed-to-furnish-written-grounds-of-arrest-to-pmla-accused
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses Centre’s plea for review of judgment directing ED to furnish written grounds of arrest to PMLA accused [Read Order]

Supreme Court dismisses Centre's plea, upholds judgment mandating Enforcement Directorate to provide written grounds of arrest in PMLA cases.

23 March, 2024 03:14 PM
kerala-hc-to-hear-lesbian-couples-plea-against-forced-conversion-therapy-on-april-9
Trending Judiciary
Kerala HC to hear lesbian couple’s plea against forced conversion therapy on April 9

Kerala HC will hear a lesbian couple’s plea highlighting that one of them was subjected to forced conversion therapy.

23 March, 2024 03:30 PM
how-can-people-be-compelled-to-vote-madras-hc-asks
Trending Judiciary
“How can people be compelled to vote? Madras HC asks

“How can people be compelled to vote?”, the Madras HC queried in a plea asking employers in Tamil Nadu to demand proof from employees of having voted on polling day.

23 March, 2024 05:04 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email