Delhi High Court denies SGPC request to stop Gurbani broadcasts

The Delhi High Court has declined to grant interim relief to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in its lawsuit against a private television channel. The SGPC, which manages the Golden Temple in Amritsar, alleged that Galactic Television violated its broadcasting rights by telecasting the recital of Gurbani from the temple.

Justice Anup J Bhambhani noted that the recital constitutes a literary and musical work. However, the court observed that under Section 52 (1)(za) of the Copyright Act, the performance of such works during a bona fide religious ceremony does not constitute copyright infringement.

The court has summoned the private channel to file a reply and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 24.