Delhi high court issues notice to Prasar Bharati Corporation

The Delhi high court today issued a notice to Prasar Bharati Corporation on a petition filed by one of its board members challeging the appointment of Additional Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ministry Rajiv Takru as its acting CEO.

The court, however, refused to stay the appointment of Takru and allowed him to function during the pendency of the case.

Justice S Muralidhar asked the Corporation to file its response within four weeks on a petition filed by its Member (Finance) AK Jain.

Takru, an IAS officer of 1979 batch, was in January appointed the officiating CEO of the Prasar Bharti following the suspension of BS Lalli against whom an inquiry has been ordered for alleged financial irregularities including one relating to broadcasting rights of last year's Commonwealth Games.

Challenging his appointment, Jain pleaded the Board has no power to appoint the CEO as it has to be decided by the government. He also said Takru, not being a permanent member of the Board, is not eligible for the post.

Jain also challenged the Board resolutions passed in January and February this year which entrusted various executive and financial functions to special empowered committees.

He pleaded that the decision of the Board was wrong as it was directed by the High Court that the day-to-day function of the public proadcaster would be handled by a Board comprising him, CEO and the Member(personnal) of the board. He said Takru should be restrained from discharging the functions of CEO and quash all decisions taken by him while on the post.