In a testimony of media’s role as the fourth pillar of a vibrant democracy, India TV’s Aapki Adalat show helped the family of the victim of 1988 road rage case involving Navjot Singh Sidhu get justice after 34 years.
Sidhu was sentenced one year jail term by Supreme Court last week on May 19.
The apex court had in May 2018 held Sidhu guilty of the offence of "voluntarily causing hurt" to a 65-year-old man, it spared him a jail term and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000.
In the apex court’s decision, broadcast of Sidhu's interview in "Aapki Adalat" appears to have played a big role.
According to The Tribue, the legal heirs of the complainant in the case had filed a fresh plea in the Supreme Court accusing the cricketer-turned-politician of having admitted his guilt in the interview given to 'India TV' in 2010.
The application had alleged that during the said interview given to India TV show 'Aap Ki Adalat' hosted by journalist Rajat Sharma eight years ago and re-telecast last night at 10 pm, Sidhu "had admitted not only to the involvement of both the accused in the brawl on the date of the incident but also admitted and accepted hitting the victim Sh Gurnam Singh with fist blows resulting in his death".
The complainant had submitted a CD and a YouTube link of the interview and sought the court's permission to place it on record terming it "a piece of evidence which is absolutely vital and necessary for complete elucidation of the truth".
Describing the interview as an "extra-judicial confession", the applicant said it could not be produced earlier as the same has only now come to his knowledge.
He said it was "necessary, expedient and in the interest of justice" that the additional evidence be taken on record and considered in deciding the criminal appeal.
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