FWA bars Raakesh Paswan from writing for TV for a year after complaint filed by Manish Goswami By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 04, 2010)

// // // Of late we have had several cases where writers have accused producers of stealing their scripts. In a strange case of reversal, Manish Goswami producer of TV shows Parampara, Aashirwad, Swabhimaan and Kittie Party had accused writer Raakesh Paswan of directly lifting an important plot of his show Shraddha and introducing it in the show Bhagyavidhata. Incidentally, Paswan is the scriptwriter for both the serials.

The producer, who had filed a case against Paswan in the Film Writers’ Association, won the case on Tuesday. As per the verdict, Paswan has been barred from writing for any show for a year and has also been asked to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. If he is found violating the punishment, his suspension will be extended to six years.

Raakesh Paswan

An incensed Goswami said, “A few months ago, I paid Rs 20 lakh to Paswan while his outstanding amount was not more than Rs 8 lakh as he said he needed money for a house and I trusted him. He betrayed my trust. I knew he was writing for Bhagyavidhata but I didn’t expect that he would end up giving them the same story. He was responsible for Shraddha going off air. What I had planned to show in 250 episodes in Shraddha, Paswan put it in a concise form in 25 episodes for Bhagyavidhata.”

Confirming the verdict of the FWA against him, Paswan More >