The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Centre on its likely course of action against the TV channel which had telecast the alleged fake sting operation.

"What action is the government contemplating against the channel," asked the division bench comprising Chief Justice M K Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Khanna.

Not satisfied by the Centre's contention that a show cause notice has been issued against the channel, the bench observed: "Under which provision of the law have you issued a show cause notice? If offence is committed, you have to register a case and start criminal proceeding".

The Centre then informed the court that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had issued the show cause notice to the channel on Tuesday and directed it to respond within three days.

On September 7, the High Court issued notices to the Delhi government and the city police after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports claiming that the sting operation was fake and distorted. The police also arrested reporter Prakash Singh after booking him under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including those relating to cheating and criminal conspiracy.