Office sealed, NMTV owner moves HC

Ravi Natar, owner Navi Mumbai News Pvt Ltd, recently approached the Bombay High Court, alleging high-handedness and violation of liberty by the police.

Natar, who is physically challenged, said the police illegally sealed his office and seized equipment, claiming that his channel is illegal. He has urged the court to direct the police to return the equipment and declare police action as ‘illegal’.

Natar’s petition states that he is registered as a cable operator with the collectorate and head postmaster.

In 2010, he had been summoned by the police where officials sought an explanation about the channel’s registration after members of an NGO, Conscious Citizens Forum, complained against him. In 2012, he moved court after which ACP Suresh Pawar had stated that the channel was legal.

On August 22 this year, the ACP (Vashi division), went to the channel’s control room in Nerul and seized broadcasting equipment. This, states Natar, was done without prior notice. On August 26, the police sealed the office and issued a notice that the channel is not properly registered and this should be done within 30 days.

Natar’s petition seeks court direction to the police to unseal the office and allow the channel to operate.