The second FIR was lodged against Zee for allegedly

telecasting the programme revealing the identity of the eye witness and male friend of the December 16 gangrape case. The third FIR was lodged against the TV channel on the complaint of JSPL alleging that the channel in its programme on coal block scam showed fabricated documents as annexure of CAG report. Salve submitted that Delhi Police conducted "slanted investigation" at the behest of Jindal who used his political connections with the ruling party in power. "Three successive FIRs within a span of four months were filed against the petitioner on one pretext or the other. "In addition to this, Zee News Ltd. Has also received notices from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the basis of series of complaints filed by JSPL - a company managed and controlled by Jindal which further supports the contention of the petitioner that Jindal is using his influence as a member of a political party in power to gag and muzzle the media from reporting on issues of national importance," the plea said. Salve said a complaint was also filed by JSPL before the Press Council of India which was referred to the News Broadcasting Standard Authority (NBSA) headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma. However, he said, the Chairman of NBSA took note of the fact that Jindal had the temerity to try and contact the Chairman over telephone prior to the hearing, and Justice Verma even refused to accept an unconditional written apology on his behalf, tendered by the senior counsel appearing for the complainant-JSPL. The senior advocate said the first FIR was recorded in a dishonest manner and the malice of the police was obvious from the fact that it concocted an offence which does not exist in the Indian Penal Code. "A reading of the FIR together with the document in public domain shows that the FIR is yet another attempt to browbeat the petitioners' news channel. Allegations of serious offences are made which would once again be used by the Delhi Police to seek custody of those involved in producing the story," the petition said.