Awaaz Production Ltd & ORS. v. Union Of India & ANR.

$~76 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of Decision: 22nd May, 2026 + W.P.(CRL) 1587/2026 & CRL.M.A. 15772-15773/2026 & CRL.M.A. 16713/2026 AWAAZ PRODUCTION LTD & ORS.

.....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Sacchin Puri, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Kush Garg, Mr. Mohit Bhardwaj, Ms.

Aashma Bhola and Ms.

Akanksha, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR.

.....Respondent Through:

Mr. Hussain Taqvi, Sr. Panel Counsel with Mr. Waseem, Advocate and Mr.

Pankaj Kr., SHO, PS Nizamuddin.

Mr.

Yasir Rauf Ansari, ASC (Criminal) with Mr. Alok Sharma, Advocate for R-2 & 3.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN J U D G M E N T (oral) 1.

Petitioners seek protection of their right, liberty and safety, claiming that there are imminent threats owing to their journalistic and media related activities being carried out through "TNN World", an OTT-based digital media and news platform.

2.

Learned Senior counsel for the petitioners reiterates that on one earlier occasion, respondent No.1-Union of India had granted protection suo moto, on the basis of inputs from the intelligence. 3.

Learned Standing Counsel for respondent No.1 had appeared on the W.P.(CRL) 1587/2026 1

last date of hearing and sought time to take instructions in the matter. He submits that the threat assessment is being carried out and appropriate decision would be taken in this regard within two weeks positively. 4.

Learned Additional Standing Counsel for the respondent Nos. 2 and 3 is also present in Court and it is apprised by him that the matter is under active consideration and once they receive the report with respect to the injuries received by driver of petitioner No.2, appropriate further action would be taken, including registration of FIR.

5.

Learned Senior counsel for the petitioners submit that there is grave apprehension to life and liberty of petitioner No.2 and till the time threat assessment is carried out, some interim arrangement be made for this adequate protection.

6.

Naturally, once FIR is registered, the petitioners can always approach Witness Protection Committee of the concerned District for seeking appropriate measures.

7.

The learned Additional Standing Counsel for the State, on instructions, submits that till the threat assessment is over, they would ensure that there is a regular visit of Beat Officer to the premises/residence of the petitioners and the contact details of a Senior Sub-Inspector as well as of the concerned SHO would be shared with them, to whom they can contact in case of any emergency.

8.

The petition is, accordingly, disposed of with the abovesaid directions to respondent Nos.2 and 3.

9.

Needless to say, if the threat assessment is found to be genuine, the respondents would take requisite steps immediately. However, in case the assessment report is against the petitioners, the petitioners would be at liberty W.P.(CRL) 1587/2026 2

to approach this Court again.

10.

The present petition stands disposed of in aforesaid terms. 11.

The pending applications also stand disposed of. (MANOJ JAIN) JUDGE MAY 22, 2026/ss/sa W.P.(CRL) 1587/2026 3