NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday extended its stay on the Karnataka High Court's order, which restrained a Kannada news channel, Power TV from broadcasting in absence of proper licence.
A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee as to in how many cases, in last three years, such channels which applied for renewal of licence but were not allowed to continue pending the decision.
The news channel has been on forefront of telecasting sex scandal allegedly involving former JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, and his family.
On the court's query, the Centre's counsel submitted the channel was showcaused but it did not come up with a response.
"They can't be shut down like this," the court said and scheduled the matter for hearing on July 22.
On July 12, In a relief to the channel the Supreme Court had stayed the High Court, stopping broadcast by Power TV.
The court had then said, this is nothing but a sheer political vendetta.
"We are inclined to protect the freedom of speech and expression. It looks like a plain case of political vendetta and this court would be failing in its duty if it does not protect the petitioner," the bench had said.
On June 25, the Karnataka High Court had restrained Power TV from carrying out any broadcasting activity till July 9.
Justice S R Krishna Kumar had passed the interim order, after hearing two petitions filed by senior serving IPS officer Dr B R Ravikanthegowda, and JDS leader and MLC HM Ramesh Gowda and his wife Dr A Ramya Ramesh.
The petitioners claimed despite proceedings already initiated by the central government against the television channel and other private respondents, they continued to broadcast without obtaining the necessary renewal of licence.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated show cause notice was issued on a complaint, that the permission for Power TV was valid till October 12, 2021, and its renewal application dated December 30, 2022, was under examination.
The channel and its director Rakesh Shetty have reportedly been at the forefront of campaigns against Janata Dal (Secular) leaders like Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna, who have been accused of sexual assault.
