NDTV sues ABCL for breach of trust

NDTV sues ABCL for breach of trust
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

JUNE 27: The police have registered three cases against Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL) for alleged criminal breach of trust against New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) by non-payment of dues of over Rs 10 crore.

Greater Kailash Police has recently lodged the cases of criminal misappropriation against ABCL chairman Amitabh Bachchan and vice-chairperson Jaya Bachchan on the basis of the order passed by Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Manoj Jain.

The MM after hearing NDTV's complaint had ordered the police to register the cases and complete investigation before August 3, the next date of hearing.

One FIR said, the ABCL, which had worked as an agent for NDTV for its "Budget-96" programme telecast by Doordarshan on July 22 that year, had collected Rs 1.39 crore. After deducting its 20 per cent commission and paying the telecast fees to Doordarshan, ABCL was supposed to pay NDTV Rs 85.94 lakh as its share, but this was not paid.

The second FIR said ABCL, as an agent for NDTV's "Tonight" programme, was to pay Rs 3.55 lakh to the TV channel between May 13 and October 18, 1996, but did not pay its share amounting to Rs 4.1 crore as per the agreement.

According to the third FIR, ABCL misappropriated Rs 5.5 crore which should have been paid to the NDTV for the "Good Morning India" programme.