Prominent TV news anchor Sudhir Chaudhary and the renowned Hindi news channel, Aaj Tak, are currently embroiled in a legal controversy. They have approached the Karnataka High Court with a plea to quash the First Information Report (FIR) filed against them. The FIR pertains to alleged offences under Sections 153A and 505 of the India Penal Code, which were invoked following a news report broadcasted by the channel.
The contentious news segment, aired on September 11, revolved around the ‘Svalambi Sarathi Scheme’. This initiative by the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation Ltd provides subsidies to religious minorities for the purchase of vehicles. Sudhir Chaudhary, in his report, claimed that
“the Karnataka government was providing the scheme only to the minorities and not to the non-minority Hindus”
and that it was
“practicing minority appeasement in the state.”
However, this claim was promptly refuted by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on social media platforms. He clarified that
“the scheme was started by the previous government”
and was not a new initiative by the current administration. The FIR against Sudhir Chaudhary and Aaj Tak was lodged based on a complaint by the Administrative Officer of the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation Ltd. The complainant accused Chaudhary of
“hatching a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in the state”
by knowingly disseminating such news.
In response to the FIR, Sudhir Chaudhary took to his social media platforms during the subsequent nights, informing the public about the legal action against him. He expressed his readiness for the legal fight, stating,
“ready for the legal fight”
and showcased his intent to
“meet the Karnataka government in court.”
Sudhir Chaudhary’s primary contention was about the perceived exclusion of the Hindu community from the ‘Svalambi Sarathi Scheme’. This scheme offers a substantial 50 percent subsidy on commercial vehicles to religious minorities who have an annual income of less than Rs 4.5 lakh.
The matter is now slated for a hearing before a single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar. As an interim measure, Chaudhary and Aaj Tak have sought a stay on any further investigations related to the FIR.
This unfolding controversy underscores the delicate balance between freedom of the press and the responsibility of news outlets to ensure accurate reporting. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by media professionals, legal experts, and the general public alike.
