Sun TV: Information and Broadcasting Ministry seeks more details from Home Ministry

NEW DELHI: As it mulls its course of action, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry sought further details from the Home Ministry on the reasons for denial of security clearance to Sun TV Network channels so that it can justify its action if the matter reaches court.

Asked about the Ministry's decision with regard to the 33 Sun TV channels, a senior official said the I&B Ministry wants the Home Ministry to share with it in detail the reasons for denial of security clearance so that it can justify its action if the matter reaches court.

The I&B Ministry had earlier also written to the Home Ministry seeking to know the reasons for denial of security nod to the Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV network. The official said that the reply of the Home Ministry was a bit vague because of which the I&B Ministry sought more details.

Earlier, the Home Ministry had denied security clearance to the network, which is believed to have been influenced by pending cases against Maran and his brother, former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran.

A security clearance is needed by companies which want to run TV channels. With the Home Ministry denying security clearance to the network, the I&B Ministry had then approached the Law Ministry seeking opinion on the issue.

In his opinion, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi reportedly said that security clearance can be granted as agencies are probing cases related to corruption and not security. Hence, he said, corruption cases cannot be the ground to deny security clearance.

As the I&B Ministry mulled future course of action following the AG's opinion, reports have appeared suggesting that MHA was not willing to give security clearance to the Sun television network.

The I&B Ministry's concerns are that action against the TV network may put it in a tight corner if the broadcaster were to take legal recourse.