HC asks Prasar Bharti to reply on telecast issue

The Delhi high court on Wednesday directed public broadcaster Prasar Bharti to reply on a representation made by a cricket fan who has sought live telecast of the forthcoming India-England cricket series on Doordarshan.

The bench of Chief Justice MK Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Khanna said:”The Prasar Bharti is aware about its right and obligation. It would be necessary for it to send a reply on the legal notice sent by the petitioner.”

The court gave its direction on the petition of Ravi Dev Gupta seeking direction to the public broadcaster to telecast live the cricket series between India and other countries, including the England series beginning July 19.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Aman Lekhi said a notice was earlier sent to Prasar Bharti before the start of India-Bangladesh series but the broadcaster did not respond. Gupta sent another notice on June 30 with regard to the England cricket series. However, there was no reply to his second notice as well.

Gupta claims Sports Broadcast Signal (mandatory sharing with Prasar Bharti) Act makes it mandatory for private broadcasters to share the feed with Prasar Barti of matches involving India. Therefore, Prasar Bharti should have no problem in telecasting the matches, the petitioner contends.