The Zee Rajasthan former channel-head Ashish Dave has had his plea to quash an extortion FIR rejected by the Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur Bench). The Court underscored that media-persons cannot use journalistic power to intimidate or blackmail individuals — press freedom does not grant a license for extortion.
⚖️ What the Court Decided
The FIR registered on allegations that Ashish Dave allegedly demanded money from various persons or vendors, threatening them with negative news coverage if they refused, was found to disclose a prima facie cognizable offence.
The court noted that several witness statements and internal complaints supported the allegation of misuse of editorial authority for personal gain.
Given the serious nature of the charges — extortion and coercion linked to misuse of media platform — the court refused to quash the FIR, observing that a full investigation should proceed.
📌 Why It Matters
The judgment reinforces that media freedom under the Constitution must operate within the bounds of law — unethical or criminal conduct, even under the guise of journalism, is not protected.
It serves as a precedent that high-ranking media professionals can be held criminally liable for using their influence to threaten or extort, deterring misuse of media power.
The Court’s refusal at the early FIR-quashing stage underscores that courts should be careful not to pre-judge allegations of criminal misuse of media; investigations must be allowed to run their course when prima facie offences are made out.
