Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli withdraws appeal in Supreme Court

Controversial Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli today withdrew his petition challenging the interim order of the Delhi high court which had formed a three- member committee, including him to run the affairs of the corporation.

While allowing him to withdraw the appeal, a bench comprising Justice RV Raveendran and Justice AK Patnaik clarified that it would not affect pending case against him in the Delhi high court filed by an NGO.

The bench said if the high court passes the order in favour of the NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation then it will adversely stand against Lalli.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, pleaded the bench to extend its interim order of November 19 in which it had reiterated the high court order that the day-to-day functioning of the corporation would be handled by a three-member committee.

The bench, however, asked him to approach the Delhi high court on the issue when it hears the CPIL's petition on January 21.

In an interim order, the high court had directed a central vigilance commission (CVC) inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities of the corporation and said that all day-to-day work of the public broadcaster would be handled jointly by a three-member team consisting of its CEO and members (finance and personnel).

Challenging the order, the CEO had approached the Supreme Court which had upheld CVC inquiry as directed by the high court. A presidential reference was made to the Supreme Court for an inquiry into charges against him recently.

But the apex court had stayed the part of the order in which the high court had appointed a retired judge as an observer for the board meeting.