New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Delhi high court’s decision directing Comedy Central to go off air for six days starting 12.01 AM on 26th November.
A bench of justices Dipak Misra and U.U. Lalit issued a notice to the central government on Viacom 18’s plea challenging the constitutional validity of certain sections of the Cable Television Networks Act. Lawyers Harish Salve and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Viacom 18, argued that these provisions amount to content control by the executive, something that cannot be permitted.
As a result of the apex court’s ruling, the channel is expected to be back on air at any time. However, if the Supreme Court finds no merit in Viacom 18’s challenge, the ban might be reinstated again.
The case will come up for hearing on 8th December. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had on 24th November upheld a 10-day ban imposed on Comedy Central by the ministry of information and broadcasting for airing “vulgar” and “offensive” content during May and July 2012.
Since the channel had already undergone a ban for four days earlier, it was ordered to undergo the remaining six days now. Again from 26th November to till date, it went blank for two more days.
