The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against the reporters and staff of Mathrubhumi TV in connection with their “sting operation” accusing a government official of corruption, LiveLaw reported. The court held that the reportage did not involve malice or prejudice.
The “sting operation” was conducted by the news channel’s reporter Jaison against AG Korah, a senior geologist with Kerala’s Department of Mining and Geology. The reporter had approached Korah as a miner when the official allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 for issuing a mining pass. It was reportedly recorded and telecasted on the news channel.
Following the broadcast, Korah lodged a case of criminal defamation and criminal conspiracy under sections 501, 502 and 120B of the IPC against Jaison, cameraman Mangosh, news reader Smruthi Paruthikadan, publisher V Bhaskara Menon, editor Kesava Menon, editor Unni Balakrishnan, and CEO Mohan Nair.
Meanwhile, a case was filed against Korah before the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau based on the news report. But he was acquitted, as no proof was found. The journalist also told the police that the camera and memory card used to record the “sting operation” were damaged.
In today’s hearing, the court said, “There is no case to the 1st respondent that there is any personal malice or personal prejudice to the petitioners towards the 1st respondent. Their intention is only to vindicate an information received through a sting operation.”
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