JAIDEV Vs. PRASAR BHARTI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner claiming to be a social worker has filed this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India as a public interest petition alleging huge losses caused to the public exchequer as a result of the alleged illegal acts of the respondents.

(2.) The petition is based on a newspaper report published in the Hindustan Times dated 18.10.2000 followed up by reports published on 19.10.2000,21.10.2000 and also a report published in "The Week" on 5.11.2000. The petitioner also claims to have made personal enquiries into the matter and it is averred that the petition is based both on the newspaper reports and on the basis of information given to the petitioner.

(3.) The matter in issue relates to a serial Truck Dhina Dhin' (referred to as the said serial) which was telecast on the Doordarshan. The petitioner is seeking a writ directing Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against persons stated in the petition, holding of an impartial investigation by the CBI after seizing relevant files and documents pertaining to the transaction, steps for recovery of amount due to M/s. Prasar Bharti in respect of the said serial, action against officers of Prasar Bharti as well as the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Central Government