SC extends stays Karnataka HC order restraining broadcast of Kannada news channel

New Delhi [India], July 15 : The Supreme Court on Monday extended the stay on the Karnataka High Court's interim order restraining Kannada news channel Power TV from broadcasting.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud adjourned the matter till July 22 and said that its July 22 decision staying Karnataka HC's order will remain in force.
The top court also sought to know about those channels that applied for renewal but were not allowed to continue pending the decision of renewal in the last three years.
Power TV, which has moved the top court through advocate Mithu Jain, has challenged Karnataka HC's division bench order dated July 3. On July 3, Karnataka HC modified the order of the Single Judge to the extent that no timelines have been laid down by the Single Judge for disposing off the proceedings pursuant to Show-cause Notice dated February 9, 2024, and thus, directed the competent authority of Union of India to decide the proceedings pursuant to the Show-Cause Notice dated. February 9, 2024, after giving an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioners and decide the renewal application of the petitioners within a period of six weeks, till then the interim order dated June 25, 2024, whereby and whereunder the Single Judge had directed the Petitioners to not continue with the Broadcasting activity shall continue, the petition read.
Power Smart Media Pvt Ltd, the petitioner, provides studio services to MITCOIN to run the News TV Channel under the name and style of "Power TV". Mitcoin Infraprojects Pvt. Ltd. is involved in the business of News and Media and also runs the said TV Channel. Mitcoin Infra had entered into an Agreement in 2021 with Power Smart media, thereby appointing it to avail studio services, procure advertisements and hire employees for functioning of the said News Channel, for whom, the remuneration and salary was agreed upon to be paid by Mitcon, the petition read.
"Petitioner TV channel's duty to telecast news and current affairs towards billions of people, fundamental right to freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution, have been affected by the Impugned Order of July 3, 2024, that has directed a stay on telecast subject to the Competent Authority's decision in the ongoing proceeding, within 6 weeks from the date of the impugned order and therefore, this Hon'ble court may be pleased to set aside the said Order," the petitioner said.
The respondents had levelled an allegation that channels were functioning without a valid licence.