No need to take CNN-IBN Chief Editor in police custody: SC

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today held that there was no need to take in the police custody CNN IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardasai for the breach of privilege motion, as he volunteered to present himself before Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Matadin.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justices C K Thakker and R V Raveendran recorded the statement of senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner that his client was willing to present himself before the Speaker as per his directions and disposed of the petition.

The resolution against Mr Sardasai was unanimously adopted by the state Assembly for making derogatory remarks against politicians during the telecast of a sting operation, which showed some UP MLAs and ministers having close links with gangsters and anti-social elements, including drug-peddlers.

The apex court had, earlier, strongly disapproved sting operations, carried out only for commercial and monetary considerations.

The court had made it clear that the sting operations could be understood and permitted only if they were in public interest and for a genuine cause. ''These operations, aimed at increasing the viewership of a TV channel, cannot be permitted,'' it added.

The SC has also referred to a sting operation, showing Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Manik Rao Gavit talking to a western UP mafia, seeking help for his relative in a property dispute.

According to the court, the sting operation seemed to be bogus as it was never telecast again.

UNI AKS/SC HS GC1634