HC refuses to stay ban on serial 'Ram Siya ke Luv Kush' in Punjab, producers offer to delete scenes
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday refused to stay a ban on airing of television series 'Ram Siya ke Luv Kush' in Punjab. The ban on the telecast of the controversial series stays for the time being, with the court adjourning the matter to September 12, according to an official release by the state government.
During a special hearing on a petition by Colors TV channel, Justice TS Dhindsa declined to grant a stay on the orders passed by the various district commissioners, in their capacity as district magistrates.
Arguing on behalf of the state government, Additional Advocate General Rameeza Hakeem said the decision to ban the telecast of the serial had been taken on the grounds that it has hurt the religious sentiments of the Valmiki community in the state by "portraying Valmiki ji in a negative light".
During the hearing, 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, as per the release.
The channel also placed on record an offer from the producers of the serial to enter a dialogue with the Secretary (Home) to discuss the issue and offered to delete any objectionable scenes.
The court called upon the Additional Advocate General to take instructions in the matter, especially on the offer made by the producers to delete the scenes in question.
Hakeem later said the offer would be considered by the state government, whose response would be submitted before the court on the next date of hearing.
On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had directed an immediate ban by the respective DCs on the telecast of the serial following protests by members of the Valmiki community who had called for a bandh on the same day.
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Four cops suspended after man escapes from custody, gets hit by truck in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad (UP) (PTI): The Ghaziabad Police has suspended four personnel over presumed negligence and dereliction of duty after a detainee suffered severe injuries while allegedly fleeing from custody, a police official said on Friday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Modinagar) Bhaskar Verma said one Amit Kumar (35), an outsourced employee at Patla Nagar Panchayat, was allegedly drinking alcohol with three of his friends at a public place on Tuesday night. When Niwari police station arrived and reprimanded them, an altercation ensued, and Amit was subsequently detained.
While police were taking him for medical examination at Community Health Centre Muradnagar, Amit reportedly jumped from the moving police vehicle near the health centre to escape. As he ran towards the Delhi-Meerut highway, he was hit by an oncoming truck and sustained severe injuries. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Nehru Nagar, where he is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU.
The police personnel allegedly failed to report the truck accident to their senior officers initially, claiming instead that Amit had fallen and injured himself while attempting to flee.
The incident sparked outrage among locals and the family of the detainee, who alleged that Amit was brutally thrashed while in custody.
On Thursday, protesters gathered outside the Niwari police station for nearly an hour, raising slogans against the police. The situation was eventually brought under control after officials assured that stringent action would be taken.
In response, a delegation of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leaders met Police Commissioner J Ravindra Goud to submit a formal complaint demanding accountability for the Niwari police station personnel.
On Thursday evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari issued the suspension order against Patla police outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector Lokendra, Sub-Inspector Shaid Khan, Head Constable Sachin Mohan and Constable Narendra.
Additionally, the role of Niwari Station House Officer KK Maurya is under investigation, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the errant personnel, Verma said.
