The Supreme Court has granted interim protection to officials of Discovery Communications India following threats related to the release of the controversial documentary series, Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu.
The documentary, which sheds light on the life of self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu, has sparked outrage among certain groups, leading to intimidation and safety concerns for the channel’s staff.
The petition, filed by Discovery Communications India and its senior staff members from various states, brought the matter before the Supreme Court. The channel alleged that it had been targeted with several hate comments and threats after the airing of the series on the Discovery+ platform.
These threats were directed at both the company and its employees, including those working in different states across India. The officials claimed that these threats had made it increasingly difficult for them to travel freely or operate normally.
The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan, issued an order instructing police authorities in at least seven states to provide protection to the petitioners.
The states named in the order include Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
The court’s decision comes in the wake of growing concern for the safety and security of the officials, with the bench acknowledging that it may not be feasible for the petitioners to approach different High Courts in each of the states where their staff are based.
The documentary series, which focuses on Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving a life sentence for multiple criminal charges, including rape and murder, was based on public records, court orders, and witness testimonies.
The petitioners clarified that the content was purely factual and aimed at exposing the life of a man who had built a controversial following before his conviction.
However, the release of the series has clearly stirred strong reactions from Asaram’s supporters, who have resorted to threatening the broadcaster.
The petitioners also highlighted an incident on January 30, where a mob gathered outside the channel’s Mumbai office, creating a disturbance.
While the police intervened and dispersed the crowd, no further action was taken against the individuals responsible for the unrest.
This incident, coupled with the growing threats, prompted the broadcasting company to seek legal recourse.
In response, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central government and the concerned state authorities, requesting that they take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Discovery officials and their properties.
The bench stressed that no physical harm should be inflicted upon the petitioners and that they should be allowed to continue their work without fear.
The Court has scheduled the next hearing for the week commencing March 3, 2025, and has asked the police to ensure that the petitioners’ offices remain secure in the interim.
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