New Delhi: It is being described as landmark judgement for Indian media. The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that NDTV's BMW expose is completely in the public interest and does not amount to a trial by media.
The court also said that stings conducted by TV channels are legitimate if they are not done to boost TRPs.
Two years ago, NDTV caught on camera justice being compromised in the most blatant manner.
Sanjeev Nanda, a young Delhi hotelier, was accused of running over seven people with his black BMW. His lawyer, one of India's most famous criminal lawyers, RK Anand, was captured on tape as he tried to buy the main witness in the case.
First the Delhi High Court and now the Supreme Court have ruled that Anand is guilty of criminal contempt of court.
The court also wants stronger punishment. It says the four-month ban ordered earlier by the Delhi High Court and already served by Anand is just not enough.
The Supreme Court said, "We propose to issue notice to RK Anand for enhancement of punishment. Why should he not be debarred from appearing in courts for a longer period?"
The lawyer and former Congress MP was not in court to hear the verdict, which sanctions hidden camera reports as long as they are in the public interest.
The judgement says, "We have unequivocally upheld the basic legitimacy of stings. The sting programme by NDTV rendered valuable service to protect and salvage the purity of the course of justice. We appreciate the professional initiative and courage shown by the young reporter Poonam Agarwal."
"It is a landmark judgement. First time two things came together -- senior lawyer colluding with witness and the sting operation," said former Solicitor General Salve.
NDTV's expose also showed the public prosecutor IU Khan asking Sunil Kulkarni, his only witness, not to testify.
Wednesday's verdict says that IU Khan acted inappropriately, but adds that he is not guilty of criminal contempt of court.
R K Anand now has eight weeks to explain why he should not be banned from court for a longer period.