DGP reprimanded for not taking action against erring cable operators

Mumbai, Aug 16 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today came down heavily on the Director General of Police for failing to initiate action against cable operators who exhibited films without proper sanction.

A division bench comprising justices R M Lodha and S A Bobde disapproved the DGP's inaction despite court orders passed in this respect last December.

A public interest litigation had been filed by Ms Pratibha Nathani alleging that cable operator aired adult films and other films that were not certified by the Censor Board for Film Certification.

The petitioner's lawyer M M Vashi told the court that after the court order last year, 147 films were shown of which 85 were certified as adult films, 42 certified as universal/adult films, 17 certified as universal and three had not been certified by the CBFC.

Justice Lodha observed, ''He (DGP) cannot shirk his responsibility as he is the authorised official. The court had directed him to take action. He can't pass it onto a junior. If he cannot do it, let him come to the court and submit that he is incapable and inefficient to do it.'' While not holding him guilty of contempt of court, the bench directed the DGP to initiate action and submit a detailed affidavit stating the action taken by him against the cable operators and service providers that have shown the adult films.

The court held that responsibility must be faced even by the highest authority. If no action was initiated against the defaulters, it would be considered as a breach of court orders and the DGP would be held personally liable for non-compliance. The case will come up for further hearing on August 23.

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