In a relief for Red FM, the Delhi High Court on Sunday quashed the government’s July 15 decision denying security clearance to the radio channel as well as rejecting its application for permission to take part in stage three of FM auctions.
A Bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva also allowed Digital Radio Broadcasting Ltd, which runs Red FM and is associated with Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV, to participate in the e-auction scheduled to begin on Monday.
“We quash the decision communicated by letter dated July 15, 2015, denying security clearance.
“The petitioners (Digital Radio Broadcasting Ltd of Delhi and Mumbai) shall be entitled to participate in the e-auction subject to fulfilment of the other conditions,” the bench said.
Digital Radio Broadcasting Ltd, which runs Red FM in Delhi and Mumbai, had not been permitted by the government to take part in the auction on the ground that it had been denied security clearance due to its association with Sun TV.
The government had denied security clearance to Digital Radio as Mr. Kalanithi and his brother Dayanidhi Maran are being prosecuted in cases of money laundering.
