May ask SC judge to supervise Prasar Bharati meets: HC

Angered by the ongoing tussle between the Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer CEO and Chairman,the Delhi High Court on Friday said it could not remain a silent spectator to the whole episode and was contemplating appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to supervise meetings of the public broadcaster.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Manmohan took strong note of the continuing differences between CEO B S Lalli,who has been accused of illegally holding onto his post,and chairman Arun Bhatnagar and said it was time the court interfered and passed orders for proper functioning of the broadcaster. We cannot remain a mute spectator. It is time for some intervention by the court, said the Bench after noting that the Centre had failed to bring about conciliation between the two officers.

We may appoint a former Supreme Court judge in the board to look after the affairs and supervise the meetings. We will pass an order on what should be done on the next date, said the Bench.

The court was also of the view that the allegations of financial irregularities in the functioning of the public broadcaster should be inquired into by the Central Vigilance Commission,as suggested by Bhatnagar on the last date of hearing.

Meanwhile,the government pleaded for some more time to sort out differences between Bhatnagar and Lalli.