Delhi HC allows Republic TV to air news on Sunanda Pushkar death case

The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to stop Arnab Goswami and his English news channel Republic TV from airing news about the death of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar. 

In a 61-page order, the Delhi High Court stated that Republic TV had the right to air stories and there could be no absolute restraint on the channel, which has been topping the English news genre since its launch in May this year. 

While giving its verdict, the Delhi High Court discussed law from all over the world. It also observed that there was prima facie material that showed there was also some provocation from Tharoor as well. 

The Court further stated that in case of criminal investigation, media should be circumspect in airing the news. 

“Republic TV had given a statement that they would lower the rhetoric and are bound by it,” the Court pointed out. 

The High Court said that whenever Republic TV does a story on the case, they can communicate the same to Tharoor for his comments. If he doesn’t reply within a reasonable time, he has the right to silence. 

It may be mentioned here that Tharoor had filed a defamation case against Arnab Goswami on May 26, after Republic TV had aired an investigation campaign in the Sunanda Pushkar case.

Reacting to the Court’s ruling, Vikas Khanchandani, CEO, Republic TV, said, “Freedom of the press is the great bulwark of democracy, and this judgement is a big win for Republic TV and all free media.”