A court here on Thursday told the Delhi Police Crime Branch to give 10 days’ time to Zee News Limited chairman Subhash Chandra and his son if the agency plans to arrest them. Jindal Steel and Power Limited filed a case alleging that Zee group news channels tried to extort Rs. 100 crore in the form of advertisements.
“You [Crime Branch] proceed with the investigation, the moment you get evidence against them [Chandra and Goenka] then you approach the court to take permission to arrest them. In case arrest is required, you will have to give 10 days’ time before arresting them,” Additional Sessions Judge Raj Rani Mitra said.
The court passed the order while disposing of the anticipatory bail plea moved by Mr. Chandra and his son, Punit Goenka.
Meanwhile, a magistrate will hear arguments on an application moved by the Zee group for a court-monitored probe of the case on January 11.
On December 6, the court granted them interim protection from arrest till December 14 which was then extended till December 20.
The police on Thursday opposed the granting of further extension of interim protection and said the father-son duo could not evade liability in the case.
Defence counsel told the court that Mr. Chandra and Mr. Goenka had cooperated with the probe and there was no question of them fleeing from justice.
Earlier, two editors of Zee group channels were arrested by the Delhi Police on November 27 and were granted bail on December 17.
