The Supreme Court, in its interim orders, has declined to stay CVC probe into Doordarshan irregularities, paving a way for the Central Vigilance Commission to conduct independent enquiry into the financial irregularities in the administration of public sector broadcaster, Doordarshan (DD).

The public broadcaster hiked legal charges for lawyers it hires which are fixed Rs 4,500 for a hearing.

Doordarshan had announced a six-fold increase in the legal fees to Rs 4.25 crore, since 2007 as compared to Rs 40 lakh during the period between 2004 and 2007. This steep hike came under scanner and enquiry orders were given by Prasar Bharati, which controls both DD and All India Radio.

Earlier, a report was prepared by DD Director-General Aruna Sharma, who had found that Rs1.10 crore was paid to six lawyers for availing their services from time to time. However, Prasar Bharti's CEO declined the charges adding that all payments were made as per norms and there was no scope of any irregularity.

DD's lack of an internal audit system was also challenged by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL).