Tribunal stays I&B ministry's ban on Red FM

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal on Thursday stayed the seven-day ban on Red FM, which had been imposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after one of its radio jockeys allegedly made a derogatory remark against Indian Idol winner Prashant Tamanag.

A TDSAT bench headed by Justice Arun Kumar observed that the ministry did not follow its own rule of giving a 15-day prior notice to the radio channel.

However, the bench added that if the ministry wants to take fresh action against the FM channel within the legal terms, it can go ahead.

The TDSAT directed the ministry to file a reply over the showcause notice issued by it within 10 days. The next hearing about the matter will be held on November 13.

On October 1, the tribunal had allowed the ministry to go ahead with its proceedings against the channel, but had stayed implementation of its direction. Any ministerial order on the matter is subject to the outcome of the case in the tribunal.