Times Now Navbharat Moves Delhi High Court Against Network 18, Journalist Sushant Sinha Over 'Pathshala' Show

Bennett Coleman and Company Limited, which owns Times Now Navbharat, has filed a copyright infringement suit before the Delhi High Court against Network18 and journalist Sushant Sinha, alleging that Sinha's new show, "Desh Ki Pathshala", copies the format of its programme "News Ki Pathshala."

For context, Sinha hosted "News Ki Pathshala" on Times Now Navbharat before leaving the channel. After joining Network18, he began anchoring "Desh Ki Pathshala."

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani today issued summons in the suit and directed the defendants to file their written statements within 30 days.

The Court also issued notice on Times Now Navbharat's plea seeking interim injunction, adding that it will consider interim relief only after getting replies from Network 18 and the journalist.

During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Hemant Singh appearing for Times Now Navbharat said that the news channel had not come to Court against some stranger but Sinha, who being its former employee was someone who was trust for last five years.

“…kindly see, I am not here against a stranger. He is my man. Who I trusted for five years. I built him up actually. He was nobody when he walked into my studio in 2021,” Singh said.

“But he was built up, and then, he was free to go wherever. But then to walk away with entire thing, and then for a competitor to set up a competing program, where they (Network 18) have completely ripped it,” he added.

He argued that the introduction of Desh ki Pathshala program is depicted exactly in the same manner as was done in the case of News ki Pathshala.

“Then there is a synopsis segment. Thereafter, second one. In my program, he used to say, aaj dekhiye. There, he says, aaj ka adhyay. In my program, he said, aaj kaun kaunsa chapter kholne wala hu. In their program, he says, aaj kaun kaunsi khabron ke adhyay kholne jaa raha hu. What would this amount to? Infringement of copyright, in my format,” Singh alleged.

He submitted that every television program is copyright protected, including its content.

“You have made no even effort to use Pathshala but used in a different structure. So therefore in my respectful submission, it's a blatant infringement,” Singh said.

Appearing for Sinha, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi opposed the allegations and said that Bennet Coleman had earlier also filed a suit against the journalist but no interim relief was granted.

The counsel appearing for Network 18 submitted that Bennet Coleman was a pirator as the word Pathshala is used for other TV programs as well.

The Court issued summons in the suit and listed the matter for hearing on interim relief on August 25.

Title: Bennet Coleman and Company Limited v. Network18 Media and Investments Limited & Anr