News Broadcasting
Bharat Shah convicted under IPC by special court
MUMBAI: Film financier Bharat Shah, formerly co promoter of B4U Entertainment, has been convicted under the Indian Penal Code by a special court “for conniving with the underworld and targeting Bollywood personalities for personal gain.”
The flamboyant Shah, last spotted by the media at filmstar Karisma Kapoor’s wedding in Mumbai yesterday, was found guilty under section 118 IPC (concealing design to facilitate crime) read with 387 IPC (extortion), says a PTI report.
However, the court acquitted him of the charges under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) due to `doubtful evidence but convicted him on other counts. The judge gave Shah the benefit of doubt as the ‘panchnama’ (a certificate signed by five persons) drawn by police to record the alleged telephonic talk between him and Shakeel on October 27, 2000, was “doubtful”, according to agency reports.
Shah was convicted along with producer Nasim Rizvi and his assistant Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh.
Justice AP Bhangale acquitted co-accused and Dubai-based businessman Mohammed Shamshuddin alias Bhatija of the charges for lack of evidence. The court will decide on the quantum of punishment after hearing all parties tomorrow, says the PTI report.
Both Shah and Rizvi were first arrested in January 2001 for their alleged links with underworld don Chhota Shakeel in the production of the Bollywood potboiler Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and conspiring with him to kill film personalities. Shah was the financier of the film. Shah has been disassociated with B4U ever since.
While B4U was initially floated by Shah, industrialist Kishore Lulla and UK based steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, Mittal had withdrawn his stake from the entertainment network after Shah’s arrest in 2001.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
