The Delhi HC today reserved its order on a bunch of petitions filed by law students, questioning the jurisdiction of an executive magistrate while imposing a ban on a BBC documentary on the infamous Nirbhaya rape case, which also featured one of the prime accused, Mukesh.
These petitions were filed by law students of National Law University in the first week of March after news channel NDTV announced broadcasting the documentary. Following the information, the Delhi Police approached the executive magistrate around 10.30 at night, and the officer imposed a ban on its telecast.
The petitioner, lawyer,Siddarth Aggarwal questioned the authority of the magistrate claiming that he has no power under the Constitution to pass such order. The Delhi Police, however. argued that it is the duty of the police under Section 149 of the CrPC to maintain public peace, which could have been affected if the documentary was allowed to broadcast. The police also argued that it was their duty to protect women’s reputation as well.