Delhi High Court snubs NCPCR NDTV to continue broadcast of controversial show

‘Pati, Patni aur Woh‘ shall continue to be aired, says the Delhi High Court. Justice Sanjiv Khanna has stayed the order of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The Commission had asked entertainment channel NDTV Imagine, to stop broadcasting the show..Earlier this month, the Madras High Court had suggested that the central government evolve mechanisms to ensure that corruptive and irresponsible messages not be conveyed in the name of entertainment..Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Delhi High Court allowed NDTV Imagine to continue the broadcast of its reality show ‘Pati, Patni aur Woh’. The Court stayed the order of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (the ‘Commission’) to stop telecast of the show..The Commission had, when the show commenced, passed an order stating that the show was violative of child rights as it exploited children. It had also notified NDTV to stop broadcasting the show..Senior Counsel Rajiv Nayar, assisted by briefing counsel Rishi Agarwal, represented NDTV. Mr. Nayar contended that the order of the Commission was outside its mandate, and it can only recommend action to the Supreme Court or the High Court after investigating child rights violations. The Court has also directed the Commission to expedite its investigation report..The Madras High Court had earlier suggested that the central government evolve mechanisms to ensure that corruptive and irresponsible messages not be conveyed in the name of entertainment. The Court, speaking through Justice R. Reghupati, said, “It is avowedly expected that the government may take suitable steps to device effective legal mechanisms in respect of screening/broadcasting through cinema and television so as to make the certifying agency more effective.”