The I&B Ministry had issued a show-cause notice to the channel under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act’s Programming Code saying that by airing this conversation the channel provided the terrorists a platform to espouse their cause.

“We received the channel’s response on Monday and it will be examined in due course. The channel has claimed that it had informed investigative agencies about the phone call and had aired it to help gather information about those behind the heinous crime,” said a senior official from the I&B Ministry.

Incidentally, other TV channels had received a similar information but had refused to give any air time to the terrorists who identified themselves as Shadullah and Iman Babbar on India TV.

“Several TV news channels had received information on some conversation with the terrorists but they claim to have all decided against broadcasting it. However, India TV chose to air it and that is seen as a violation of the Cable TV

Programming Code. Hence, the show-cause notice to the channel,” said the official.

The terrorists reportedly used mobile phones of hostages to make two calls to India TV and claimed that they were carrying out attacks for the so far unknown outfit Deccan Mujahideen. The

channel had also claimed that the phone call would help investigative agencies determine the origin of the terrorists through their accent.

It is not clear whether the notice issued was

on sou motu cognizance of the ministry or upon a written complaint. While the I&B Ministry usually issues a show-cause notice on receiving a written complaint, it is learnt that there was no wriiten complaint on this particular case.