Palki Sharma Upadhyay can’t be restrained from working in another TV channel: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay in a suit filed by Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) and refused to restrain her from joining or continuing her employment with another television channel.

In its suit filed, Zee Media claimed that Upadhyay, former Managing Editor of Zee’s WION channel, had violated the mandatory notice policy and the non-compete clause and was in possession of ‘confidential information’, which she might use to the benefit of Zee’s competitors. Upadhyay had resigned from Zee in September 2022 and subsequently joined TV18 Broadcast Limited in the rank of Managing Editor. On these grounds, Zee requested the Court to restrain Upadhyay from joining or continuing her employment with TV18.

Upadhyay’s counsel, Saif Mahmood and Anil Sapra, opposed Zee’s injunction request and argued that the suit itself was not maintainable, much less the request for injunction. They assured the court that their client does not intend to violate confidentiality and Zee’s contentions in this regard were unfounded.

The Court did not find any merit in the contentions of Zee’s counsel, Joy Basu, and held that Upadhyay cannot be restrained from working in any other channel.