No HC stay on ban over ‘Ram Siya ke’

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 9

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today did not order stay on the ban imposed on cable telecast of the television show “Ram Siya ke Luv Kush”. The ban was imposed by deputy commissioners across Punjab on Saturday on the directives of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

A press release issued by the Punjab Government said the ban on the telecast would continue till September 12, when the case would come up for further hearing. The developments took place on a petition filed and fixed today for hearing by Colors TV and other petitioners against the state and other respondents.

Arguing the case on behalf of the Punjab Government, Additional Advocate-General Rameeza Hakeem said the decision to ban the telecast of the serial had been taken on the ground that Bhagwan Valmiki had been portrayed in a negative light, hurting the religious and other sentiments of the Valmiki community in the state.

During the hearing, which went beyond 5 pm, Colors TV contended that the ban orders had been passed without adhering to the principles of natural justice, and without the ingredients of Section 19 of the Cable Operators Regulation Act.