HC refuses to restrain media on BMW expose

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to restrain the media from reporting on the case relating to the television expose in the BMW matter in which the prosecution and the defence were shown to be allegedly colluding.

"Where is the occasion for a gag order and what about the freedom of press," a division bench comprising Justice Manmohan Sarin and Justice S K Mishra asked while dismissing the contention of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, which sought a direction to the media to stop reporting on the issue.

The Bar alleged there had been misrepresentation of facts by the media and there has been a motive behind it.

The court also directed the channel NDTV, who did the sting operation, to file an affidavit stating all the details of the expose.

"The details of the recording like timing, place and the manner are to be submitted to authenticate what is in tapes and transcript," the court said.

On the last hearing on July 4 the Court had held that it would appoint amicus curiae in the case if it was required to assist it. The court had on May 31 taken suo motu cognizance of the sting operation in the BMW hit-and-run case and sought all records related to the case.