Relief for anchor over ‘anti-Valmiki’ show

Chandigarh, November 14

Issuing notice of motion to the state and other respondents, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today made it clear that coercive steps would not be taken against TV anchor Sudhir Chaudhary accused of hurting religious sentiments of followers of Maharshi Valmiki by telecasting a programme.

In his petition through senior counsel Jasjit Singh Bedi, Chaudhary was seeking quashing of two FIRs registered under Section 295-A IPC for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. One of the FIRs was registered at Haibowal police station and the other at Jagraon city police station.

Taking up the petition, Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa also fixed the case for further hearing on February 17 next.

Bedi told the court that the contents of the both the FIRs made it apparent that the complainants were aggrieved by a small portion of a programme, wherein the petitioner narrated a “prevalent and popular story” which has been passed on from ancient times.” — TNS