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Sahara TV may lose its 'Karishma' in copyright wrangle

May 09, 2003 12:40 IST

Barbara Taylor Bradford, a US-based novelist, has filed a copyright infringement suit against Sahara Media Entertainment Ltd in the Calcutta High Court.

The suit was filed by Barbara Bradford and Robert Bradford of New York, US, as petitioners against Sahara Media, Aakashdeep Sabir, Sachin Bowmik and others (respondents) for alleged infringement of copyright of the novel "A Woman of Substance" written by Barbara Bradford.

It was stated that petitioner held the copyright for the novel and nobody has been authorised for making or producing any serial or film based on the novel.

It was stated that the petitioner was surprised to learn that her novel "A Woman of Substance" was being serialised in India. It was alleged in the suit that the respondents had made a teleserial based on the novel under the name "Karishma-A miracle of destiny", for the purpose of being telecast on Sahara Television.

It was alleged that Aakashdeep Sabir and Sachin Bowmik were producer and story writer, respectively, of the serial.

It was also alleged that Aakashdeep Sabir has also confirmed that the serial was based on the said novel.

The petition prayed for putting restrains on the concerned respondents from publishing, producing and or distorting the work without consent. The suit sought order for appointment of a receiver and an injunction restraining the respondents from telecasting the serial in any manner.

It was also stated that some scenes from the serial had been already shown as part of the promotion campaign both on Sahara TV and the Star News channel.
Subrato Chattoraj in Kolkata