HC seeks CBI’s response on NDTV’s plea seeking quashing of FIR

Last month, the CBI searched the offices and homes of NDTV founder Prannoy Roy.

The Delhi high court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday to submit a status report on its probe against New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) and its promoters on a petition by the news broadcaster seeking quashing of an FIR against them over allegations of defrauding of a bank.

NDTV co-founder Prannoy Roy addresses a protest meeting at Press Club of India in New Delhi against the CBI raids on his news channel in an alleged financial fraud case. (PTI File Photo)

Justice Vinod Goel directed the agency to file the status report on its probe against NDTV, RRPR Holdings Private Limited and the promoters by September 21, the next date of hearing.

The agency filed an FIR against the firms and NDTV co-founders Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy for allegedly causing losses to the ICICI Bank for over Rs 48 crore.

They have been booked under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct.

The allegations “relate to the wrongful gain of Rs 48 crore to Roys, RRPR Holdings Pvt Ltd and a corresponding wrongful loss to the ICICI Bank arising from their collusion and criminal conspiracy,” the CBI said in the FIR.

Last month, the CBI searched the offices and homes of NDTV founder Prannoy Roy, a move the news broadcaster denounced as a “witch-hunt” to muzzle free speech.