Supreme Court Extends Stay on Ban of Kannada News Channel Broadcast

The channel allegedly broadcasted news related to a recent sex scandal. A bench, consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged the submissions of Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, representing the Centre, that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was abroad. The hearing was adjourned until July 22, with the bench affirming that its earlier order of July 12, granting stay on the Karnataka High Court’s decision, would remain in force. The bench indicated that the case against the channel appeared to be motivated by “sheer political vendetta” while staying the high court order.

It observed that the case against the news channel seemed aimed at preventing it from airing allegations of sex scandals involving political figures. During the hearing, the bench asked the Centre whether authorities ask channels to shut down while their license renewal pleas are pending. On July 12, the bench stated that the court would protect the freedom of speech and expression, asserting that the channel was entitled to continue its broadcast, which should not have been stopped. The Centre mentioned that the case involved the unauthorized issuance of a license by the original licensee to another person.

The bench expressed its inclination to protect the freedom of speech and expression, stating that it believed the case to be politically motivated. It emphasized that the court had a duty to allow the channel to voice its allegations regarding the sex scandal in the state. The channel allegedly broadcast news related to the recent sex scandal involving JD(S) leaders Prajwal Revanna and others. The channel contested a division bench order of the Karnataka High Court, which refused to interfere with the stay order passed by the single bench against the channel’s broadcast.

The high court’s single judge bench had stayed the channel’s operation on June 26. The Centre issued a show-cause notice to the channel related to certain allegations concerning its license.