Zee Telefilms had moved the court to challenge denial of live coverage of `Lux Zee Cine Award' show by DD fixed for March 14. Justice C M Nayyar issued the direction after Zee counsel Arun Jaitley and Mukul Rohtagi said the matter was urgent in view of the fixed schedule of the show.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S C Vaidyanathan told the court that under the laid down policy and guidelines DD could not give publicity to a competitor in the market.

As the judge asked if it was necessary to allot the slot to Zee Telefilms, especially when they have their own network, Jaitley said DD was a public organisation and any one could claim right to telecast one's programme on it.

The Zee Telefilms had requested DD for 8.30 pm prime slot on March 14 for live coverage ofthe 1999 award function.

Zee in its plea accused DD of backing out at the last moment claiming that it had earlier agreed for the telecast. It said DD had given live coverage to the Lux Zee Cine Award last year and programmes like Filmfare Award, Screen Videocon Award and Palmolive Miss World Award this year.