Shiv Sena embarrassed, Bombay HC says 'no legality to interfere’ with Republic broadcast

In a massive boost to Republic TV, Bombay High Court, on Friday has observed that Shiv Cable Sena is t a 'statutory body' to interfere or supersede Republic TV's contract with its cable network operators. Court also observed that if cable network operators breach ir contractual relationship with Republic, n channel can approach appropriate authority for relief. Shiv Sena-linked 'Shiv Cable Sena' had issued a communication ordering cable network operators to stop airing Republic TV and Republic Bharat on Thursday.

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Bombay HC: 'Shiv Cable Sena's order has effect'

Bombay HC has clarified that Shiv Cable Sena's communication has effect in law. court also maintained that it has t been tified that any cable operator has stopped airing two channels after Shiv Cable Sena's communique, as Republic sought a restraint on Sena-linked body's order. Moreover, Bombay HC has also advised recipients of Shiv Cable Sena's 'intimidating communications' to approach concerned law enforcement authorities if y wish to.

In response to Bombay HC's observation, Republic's legal team (Phoenix Legal Team), said, "We’re most grateful to Hon’ble Bombay High Court in recognising urgency of matter and hearing Republic TV on such short tice. order speaks for itself and, most pertinently, observation that Shiv Cable Sena is t a statutory authority to eir supersede licence granted to Republic TV or to interfere in contractual/statutory relationship between Republic TV and Cable TV operators. court also observed that communication issued by Shiv Cable Sena had “ effect in law”. It is refore only muscle power that can illegally threaten or coerce cable operators in blocking Republic TV channel but t law."

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Shiv Sena-linked body seeks to block Republic

Earlier on Thursday, Shiv Cable Sena issued an 'order' signed by Sanjay Raut’s bror Sunil Raut to cable network operators in Maharashtra to block Republic Bharat and Republic TV, after Republic's investigative reports on Sushant Singh Rajput case and Disha Salian Case. Alleging 'insult' to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Maharashtra police, body which heads several cable network operators across Maharashtra has ordered m to block two channels with immediate effect. Pramukh Margdarshak of this body is 'Saamana' editor and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. This order comes 2 days after Maharashtra police 'illegally detained' three Republic crew members over an investigative story.

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Why has Anuj been 'illegally detained'?

On Tuesday night, Anuj Kumar along with VJ Yashpaljit Singh and ir Ola driver Pradeep Dilip Dhanavade had travelled to Karjat following a lead of an investigative story. In wee hours of Wednesday, Maharashtra police detained all three to a four-day custody. Furrmore, Republic was t given a remand copy by Maharashtra police, hindering our efforts to seek our team's bail. Anuj and his colleagues have been denied legal representation. 

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media house in its plea to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has highlighted Maharashtra police's malafide move. Anuj is currently being interrogated in police custody at Karjat - asking him to reveal his sources, lead and story he was pursuing. Anuj has also been denied legal representation, which has prompted Republic TV to move NHRC. human rights body has confirmed receiving Republic's plea.