‘Doctored’ video of Rahul Gandhi: SC gives Zee anchor interim protection from arrest

Granting him interim relief, a vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and J K Maheshwari said in its order, “Issue notice. Service on the Union of India be effected through the office of the Central Agency. In the meanwhile, there will be an interim order restraining the respondent-authorities from taking coercive steps against the petitioner to take him into custody in connection with the anchoring/telecast of DNA on 1st July, 2022.”

Ranjan had moved the court after Chattisgarh Police sought to act against him over the news item, which used an allegedly doctored video. He sought clubbing of the multiple FIRs registered in this connection.

Appearing for him, Senior Advocate Luthra earlier told the court that Noida Police arrested Ranjan and released him on bail and that Chhattisgarh Police were now trying to arrest him.

Ranjan had tweeted on July 5 that a team of Chhattisgarh Police personnel had arrived at his residence to arrest him without informing their local counterparts. He was taken in for questioning by the Noida Police the same day in connection with a complaint filed against two of his colleagues on behalf of the Zee Media Corporation, over the allegedly doctored video.

His plea contended the channel received a video from another news agency and that it was handled by a trainee producer. When the channel realised that there were factual inaccuracies, the show was retracted and apology expressed on air.