Mumbai blasts: Court restrains media coverage on CCTV footages

A local court today restrained the media from either publishing or telecasting news related to the CCTV footages of the July 13 triple blasts on security grounds.

A local court today restrained the media from either publishing or telecasting news related to the CCTV footages of the July 13 triple blasts on security grounds.

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"If identity of the witnesses is disclosed to public at large, it may hamper the smooth investigation of the case and may cause threat to such persons," magistrate N J Shende wrote in his order.

"I am of the opinion in view of the provisions enumerated under Section 44 (of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) in order to safeguard the life of the people and witnesses, the application is allowed," Shende said. Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had moved the court saying the media telecast and publish news pertaining to the closed-circuit television footage and suspected persons.

ATS pleaded that such coverage might hamper the course of investigation and may disclose the identity of important witnesses. Twenty people were killed and over 130 were injured in three blasts at Zaveri Bazar, Opera House and Dadar on July 13.