Debangana Ray
Published on August 9, 2022 at 17:55 IST
The Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest of Zee News producer, Narinder Singh in FIRs registered in relation to airing of a falsely manufactured video of Rahul Gandhi’s speech.
The bench consisting of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna were informed by the petitioner that three FIRS have been filed against him in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and by Zee News in Noida.
The company sought investigation and appropriate action against the producer.
Justice Chandrachud stated that the same protections granted to the Zee News Editor, Rajnish Ahuja will be extended to Singh.
Accordingly, the bench stated that investigation regarding the first FIR filed in Rajasthan may continue. It however, put a stay on further proceedings relating to rest of the two FIRs or any future FIRs that may be filed.
It further directed that no coercive action must be taken against Singh in relation to the three FIRs or any other Future FIRs filed regarding the same matter.
The issue regarding the FIRs is in respect to the news aired by Zee News on 01.07.2022 wherein Rahul Gandhi was seen commenting that the murderers of Udaipur tailor, Kainhaiya Lal should be forgiven.
However, the video was a fabricated video of Gandhi in which he was forgiving the youth that had vandalised his office in Wayanad, Kerala.
The news segment was retracted on 02.07.2022. also, the anchors and show runners had apologized on air.
According to the present petition, in attempt to put all the responsibility on Singh, had coerced him to resign on the same date of retraction of the news segment.
Subsequently, numerous FIRs were filed against the petitioner, with the newest one being filed by Zee News on 05.07.2022.