Supreme Court Grants Interim Police Protection To Discovery Channel Officials From Threats Received For Documentary On Asaram Bapu

The Supreme Court today (February 6) granted interim police protection to the officials and property of Discovery Communications India over the threats faced by the broadcasting channel in relation to the documentary on self-styled godman Asaram Baapu. 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing the plea filed by the top officials of Discovery India which stated that after the release of the show titled 'Cult of Fear- Asaram Bapu', several hate comments against Discovery and persons associated with it were received on the social media accounts of the Broadcasters. 

Sr Advocate Abhinav Mukherji representing the petitioners submitted that it has become increasingly difficult for the petitioners to travel freely across the country. Mukherji argued : 

"The police have done nothing, we went home, and asked employees not to come to work. We also got a letter now threatening us of a mass agitation. There is a 2018 guideline that lordships have laid down."

The bench in its order directed : 

"Issue notice returnable in the week commencing 3rd March 2025. In the meanwhile we request the police authorities to ensure that the petitioner gets to use the office and no threats of physical harm are extended to the petitioners" 

The petition was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution arraying the Union Government (through MHA), the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana and their respective Police Chiefs.

The petitioners claimed that the documentary on Asaram Bapu, who is serving life imprisonment in rape cases, was made based on public records, court orders and witness testimonies. After the documentary was released on the OTT platform Discovery +, they claimed to have received threats.

It was said that on January 30, a mob gathered outside their Mumbai office, creating a ruckus. Though the police dispersed the crowd, no action was taken against the perpetrators.

Counsels for petitioner : Mr. Abhinav Mukherji, Sr. Adv.; Ms. Payal Kakra, Adv.; Mr. Ehraz Zafar, Adv.; Mr. Chaitanya Mahajan, Adv.; Ms. Tanya Gupta, Adv.; Mr. Shivam Mehrotra, Adv.; Mr. Suraj Kumar, Adv.; Mr. Pranav, Adv.; Ms. Khushboo Hora, Adv.;Mr. Siddhartha Sinha, AOR

Case Details: SHASHANK WALIA AND ORS. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.W.P.(Crl.) No. 70/2025

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