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The Delhi High Court today refused to grant any interim relief in a plea by a Delhi event organizing company founder, Arjun Jain, against India Today alleging that it had indulged in violative reporting against him in the Cordelia Cruises drug-bust case, in which Bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan's son was recently arrested and sent into Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) custody.

The court has, however, issued notice on the plea stating that even if the issue doesn't find relevance in the facts of the present case, guidelines, if in place, need to be examined for regulation of media reporting in pending criminal investigations.

Jain had moved the court being aggrieved by media reports from India Today over his alleged involvement in the case, and argued that India Today has published such reports about him despite no summons having been issued to him by NCB.

Adv. Adit S Pujari appearing for Jain, told the Court that the respondent had published his photo and an article titled "The Men of Good Times", as per which, the NCB was looking for three more employees who were currently absconding and the insinuation was on him.

To this the court said, "Why are you assuming that?"

The petitioner also relied on the Bombay High court's recent observations where it had asked the media to not prejudice any ongoing criminal cases.

"Those are only suggestions, not directions", replied the bench.

"What India Today  has done is included my name in the case for alleged involvement - NCB doesn't say so, I don't say so but India Today says, "I say so," added Pujari.

"If you're famous they will try to bring in your name, you don't have to be so touchy about everything!", said the court.

"My Lords, I don't want to be famous in this way", replied Pujari.

The court went on to tell Pujari that his client was not as important as he was trying to make him.

On the other hand, the court told the media house to not unnecessarily sensationalize things.

Sr. Adv. Hrishikesh Baruah argued that India Today was publishing things obtained from public domain or through sources.

"...Jain is trying to short-circuit the whole process provided in the CTVN Rules, to address his grievances against publications with respect to the Cordelia Cruises drugs case", he added.

ASG Chetan Sharma appearing for the centre submitted that centre was only made a party to maintain the petition.

 "Your Lordships is right this is not just clever drafting, this is dexterous drafting, we have only been made a party to maintain this petition! There is a full-scale robust regime that he is trying to circumvent", he said.

The court will next hear the matter on Jan 31, 2022.

Cause Title: Arjun Jain v News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority & Ors.