TV anchor seeks urgent hearing in SC on plea against FIRs lodged for doctored Rahul Gandhi video

PTI

New Delhi, July 7

A TV news anchor, facing several FIRs in some states for playing a doctored clip of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday again sought urgent hearing from the Supreme Court on his plea seeking protection from coercive action for the alleged offence.

A vacation bench headed by Justice Indira Banerjee, which on Wednesday had ordered listing of the plea for hearing on Thursday, said it was “awaiting assignment from the CJI”.

“It has not been assigned to us. It is awaiting assignment by the Chief Justice. It may not be assigned to us,” said the bench which also comprised Justice JK Maheshwari.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the news anchor, Rohit Ranjan, said the petition was directed to be listed for hearing on Thursday, but it had not figured in the list of business and urged that it be assigned to some bench on Friday.

“Let us see. The case papers are with the CJI...List the matter tomorrow subject to clearance by the CJI,” the bench said.

The top court on Wednesday agreed to hear on Thursday the plea of the news anchor who is facing several FIRs in some states for playing a doctored clip of Gandhi.

Ranjan had later apologised and the news programme was withdrawn.

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