'Pati, Patni Aur Woh' still a reality on Imagine

The Delhi high court today allowed entertainment channel NDTV Imagine to continue its reality show Pati Patni Aur Woh, staying the order of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to cease the telecast.

Justice Sanjeev Khanna stayed the interim order of the commission, which on September 30 held that the show violated children’s rights. The court also directed the commission to complete its investigation quickly and prepare the final report.

Senior advocate Rajiv Nayyar, appearing for NDTV Imagine, said the commission had no authority to pass any such interim order. He said it can only recommend a course of action to the Supreme Court, a high court, or the central government after completing its investigation.

Meanwhile, the central government issued a show-cause notice to NDTV Imagine for airing the reality show after the commission complained about the use of babies on the show.

A source in the information and broadcasting ministry said the notice was issued to the channel after the ministry’s preview committee went through the contents of the show.

The show-cause notice was given to the channel under the content code of the government. The channel has 15 days to respond. The action came after NCPCR chairperson Sandhya Bajaj complained to the ministry about the show.

The NCPCR and a host of NGOs have objected to the programme which shows selected celebrity couples taking care of very young children. They said the use of babies and infants in the show, which went on air on September 28, violates child rights.