MRTPC to probe alleged bungling in KBC

The Delhi high court directed the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practises Commission on Friday to investigate accusation of financial bungling by the Star Plus channel in its KBC show.

A division bench of Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice J P Singh asked the petitioner and the Star Plus to appear before the Commission on May 8.

"Keeping in view the contentions of the parties, importance and gravity of the allegations besides the larger interest of the general public, we deem it fit that the matter should be referred to MRTP Commission for investigation into the finances, chances of winning, element of allurement, misrepresentation, fraud and other related allegations," the bench said.

"The Commission should implead computer experts or any other person or party who may have the know-how

of finding out fraud, tricks or manipulation, if any, in the game," the bench added.

The order came on a public interest litigation filed by Anuj Kumar Bhati, who had sought a direction to the centre restraining Star India Private Ltd from airing the quiz show.

The petitioner also sought refund of the amount he allegedly incurred in his attempt to participate in the show. He alleged that the producer had violated their own rules by repeatedly allowing their own employees and associates to take part in the KBC.

The court, in its order also referred to a TV news programme, which claimed to have shown alleged financial bungling by the producer in June, last year.