Today, On 6th February, The Supreme Court ordered protection for Discovery staff following threats over the documentary Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu. The Court noted that requiring them to seek relief from multiple High Courts may not be feasible. It emphasized the need for security measures to ensure their safety. This decision comes amid growing concerns over intimidation faced by journalists and media professionals.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed police authorities in at least seven states to ensure the safety of officials from Discovery, who are reportedly facing threats following the release of the documentary series Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu.
A Bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, issued this order in response to a petition filed by Discovery Communications India and its senior staff spread across various states.
The Court noted the challenges petitioners might face in approaching different High Courts where their staff are stationed. Consequently, it issued notices to the Central government and the police authorities in Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
The Court emphasized,
“In the meanwhile, we request the police authorities to ensure that the rights to use the office and no threats, by way of physical harm, are extended to the petitioners.”
Senior Advocate Abhinav Mukerji, representing the petitioners, informed the Court that police inaction has led to Discovery advising its employees to refrain from coming to work after a recent incident at its Mumbai office.
He added,
“We have also got a letter now threatening a mass agitation.”
The plea highlighted that protection was necessary due to threats and intimidation from groups identifying as “supporters/fans/followers/devotees” of Asaram Bapu, who is currently on interim medical bail in two rape cases.
The documentary, released by Discovery+, details Asaram Bapu’s life, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader who has been serving a life sentence for crimes including rape and murder since 2018.
According to Discovery India, the series provides factual insights based on public records, witness testimonials, and judicial documents.
Also Read: ASARAM BAPU’s PLEA| Supreme Court Rejects Sentence Suspension Plea on Health Grounds
The petition further stated that the petitioners, their colleagues, and others in similar situations have been victims of threats, hate crimes, and criminal intimidation. On January 30, a group of 10-15 individuals attempted unauthorized entry into Discovery’s office, creating a potential law and order issue.
As a result of ongoing threats, Discovery implemented work-from-home policies for employee safety, leading to a situation described as “house arrest,” which negatively impacts their right to life and liberty.
Additionally, threats and hateful comments have been directed at Discovery and its employees on social media, worsening the circumstances.