HC refuses to quash FIR against Purie, Rajdeep, Shiv Aroor

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has refused to quash a 2016 FIR against journalists Aroon Purie, Rajdeep Sardesai and Shiv Aroor in a case pending in a Bengaluru court for allegedly harming the reputation of BR Patil, a three-time MLA.

The criminal petition filed by the three in 2017 was heard and disposed by Justice R Nataraj recently, who said that investigation against the allegations has to be allowed.

“The question whether the petitioners had any intention to harm the reputation of the respondent No.2 (BR Patil) or not, and whether the petitioners had any justification for publishing the article against the respondent No.2 or not are all matters that have to be ascertained during the course of investigation,” the HC said dismissing the petition.

However, considering that Aroon Purie is 78 years old, the HC exempted his personal appearance in the investigation.

“Having regard to the fact that the petitioner No.1 (Aroon Purie) is now aged nearly 78 years, it is appropriate to direct the respondent No.1 not to insist the personal presence of petitioner No.1 (High Grounds Police Station) for the investigation, unless, his role in the sting operation and the consequent telecast of the programme is established,” the HC said.

Patil, a MLA from Aland constituency filed the complaint with the police on June 7, 2016.

He claimed to have received an invitation for tea at Lalit Ashok hotel on May 27, 2016 and met many persons there including a friend Vijay Pratapji, Syed Mudeer Agha, journalist Srikanth in the room allotted to Janata Dal (S) General Secretary Danish Ali.

Patil claimed that on June 2, 2016, India Today and Times Now channels telecast programmes in which “nasty, reckless and frivolous allegations” were made against him in the guise of a sting operation.

These allegations were made by Rajdeep Sardesai and Shiv Aroor, Patil claimed. He was allegedly accused as a corrupt politician.

The programme was retelecast with the captions namely, “Seats for Sale – 2 candidates and three MLAs stung” and “The Rajya Sabha Bazaar”.

Dismissing the petition and allowing the police investigation to continue, the HC said, “The entire videograph does not disclose that the respondent No.2 had even whispered that he would cast his vote for cash. (CrlP 3869/2017)