SC To Hear Petition Regarding Ban On BBC On 6th February
Delhi, 30th January 2023: There will be a hearing in the Supreme Court on 6th February against the Centre’s decision to ‘ban’ the BBC documentary on PM Modi on the 2002 Gujarat riots in the country. The apex court has agreed to hear a public interest litigation (PIL). The petition was filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
Advocate ML Sharma has filed a PIL before a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The plea states that the Centre’s decision to ban the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” is malafide, arbitrary and unconstitutional.
The petition, filed by advocate ML Sharma, urged the Supreme Court to watch and examine both parts of the BBC documentary. It has been said in the petition that the court should take action against those who were, directly and indirectly, responsible for the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Sharma has raised a constitutional question in his PIL and asked the apex court to decide whether citizens have a right to see news, facts and reports on the 2002 Gujarat riots under Article 19(1)(2). He has demanded a direction to cancel the ban order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, calling it illegal, malicious, arbitrary and unconstitutional. His petition asks whether the Central Government can curb the freedom of the press, which is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(2) of the Constitution.
