New Delhi: Actor Rakul Preet Singh moved the Delhi high court on Thursday seeking directions to prevent a “media trial” and against “unsubstantiated” news reports being carried about her in connection with a drugs case related to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

While declining to issue any stay against the media, Justice Navin Chawla expressed hope that TV channels “would show restraint and abide by the program code and other guidelines, both statutory and self-regulatory, while making any report”.

The HC issued notice to the Centre, Prasar Bharati, Press Council of India and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) on the actor’s plea and listed it for further hearing on October 15.

Meanwhile, the HC directed the Centre, Prasar Bharati and News Broadcasters Association to consider Singh’s plea as a representation and decide it, including any interim directions that may be needed.

Seeking the court’s intervention, the film actor wanted a ban on the telecast or publication by TV channels and other platforms of content related to the narcotic drugs case that maligns or slanders her image. Her counsel maintained that media reports are being run in contravention with I&B ministry guidelines. Her plea points out that though Rhea Chakraborty later retracted in court her alleged statement naming Singh, the media hadn’t clarified it.

The plea said the petitioner is a non-smoker, a teetotaller, into fitness, yoga and meditation, and also known for her healthy lifestyle, but her right to privacy and reputation had been violated as even sponsors were withdrawing due to the unsubstantiated allegations being run against her. “She was shocked to watch news relating to her, along with actress Sara Ali Khan and designer Simone Khambatta being named by actor Rhea Chakraborty in the ongoing investigation by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai as individuals who take drugs,” the plea said.

“The respondents have failed to discharge their statutory functions of ensuring compliance by the members of the News Broadcasters Association of their own directives, which has resulted in the flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner,” it added. The plea said she does not take drugs at all; that she has, to her best recollection, only met Sara Ali Khan twice; and that she has not met Simone Khambatta at all.

The Centre, however, maintained that an order of pre-censorship ought not to be passed.

------------------------

This is a valid petition, and perhaps, represents the view held by many individuals. Media must collectively introspect whether its credibility is suffering irreversible damage in its desperation for ‘news’. Facts are sacrosanct and cannot be sacrificed for speed.