These Are Not The Days Of Once An Employee, Always An Employee: Palki Sharma

The Delhi High Court has declined to enjoin journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay from joining or continuing her work with another television channel after ruling in her favour in a case brought by Zee Media Corporation (ZMCL). 

She expressed on Twitter, “This is an affirmation of every journalist’s right & freedom to independently choose her/his career path. Also, a message that corporate bosses cannot bully professionals or impede this freedom. These are not the days of once an employee, always an employee!”

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It should be noted that Zee Media alleged in its lawsuit that Upadhyay, the former managing editor of Zee's WION channel, had broken the mandatory notice policy and the non-compete clause and was in possession of 'private information' that she might use to the advantage of Zee's rivals. 

In September 2022, Upadhyay left Zee and became the managing editor of TV18 Broadcast. Zee has asked the court to enjoin Upadhyay from working for TV18 or beginning to do so on these grounds.

Saif Mahmood and Anil Sapra, Upadhyay's legal representatives, have challenged Zee's injunction motion and contended that both the lawsuit and the injunction request were unmaintainable. They gave the court their word that their client does not intend to violate confidentiality, and they refuted Zee's claims that this was the case.

The court did not find any merit in the contentions of Zee’s counsel, Joy Basu, and held that Upadhyay could not be restrained from working in any other channel.