Basil
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Zee Media Wants Gag order Lifted in Rs 100 Crore Libel Case
The Zee Media Corporation on Wednesday filed a counter in the Madras High Court in the Rs 100 crore libel case filed by Team India captain M S Dhoni and sought to vacate an interim injunction restraining it from telecasting any news linking the player to alleged acts of betting and match fixing.
The petition, filed by legal executive of Zee Media, Jayakaran Winfred, before Justice S Tamilvanan, questioned Dhoni’s claim that the media house was running a malicious campaign.
“The defendants not only relied on the report of then Superintendent of Police of Q Branch of CB-CBID of Tamil Nadu Sampath Kumar, who had investigated into the issue, but also conducted a sting on him where he corroborated the report,” Winfred said.
The media house claimed it was an act of responsible journalism. “Terming it as an act of malicious campaign and hate is delusional,” Winfred submitted.
“When the reputation of the entire game of cricket has suffered and the game is facing a crisis of credibility, the plaintiff can’t harp on his individual rights to gag a discussion on the issue of national importance,” the petitioner contended.
If an allegation is being made by an investigation officer on the basis of the material he uncovered during an investigation, it has to be investigated. “The non-investigation by CB-CID, Chennai which was commented upon by Mudgal committee is a matter of public concern and the media is duty-bound to ask questions and demand answers,” Winfred said.
The judge adjourned the hearing for one week.
