SC quashes trial court order in Zee case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday set aside a trial court’s order directing international media group Bloomberg to take down an allegedly defamatory news article against Zee Entertainment. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Bloomberg against the March 14 order of the Delhi High Court, which dismissed its appeal against the trail court order.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the error committed by the trial judge had been perpetuated by the high court. “The error committed by the trial judge had been perpetuated by the high court. Merely recording that a prima-facie case exists for a grant of injunction, the balance of convenience lies in Zee’s favour and that an irreparable injury would be caused would not amount to application of mind in the case,” the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said while granting liberty to Zee to approach the trial court afresh with its prayer seeking injunction. Reacting on the apex court order, Bloomberg News spokesperson said, “We are very encouraged by today’s decision from the Supreme Court of India, and we continue to stand by this story.”