India, Jan. 20 -- The Delhi High Court on Monday quashed the 2016 income tax notices to NDTV founders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy and asked the department to pay Rs 1 lakh to each of them as a token cost.

A bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vinod Kumar observed that authorities subjecting Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy to reassessment proceedings for the second time, "practically for the same issue," was arbitrary and without jurisdiction.

"The facts of the present case speak volumes as to how the proceedings are arbitrary and contrary to the statutory provisions, besides being against the fundamental principles of adjudicatory process," the bench said, allowing the petitions of the Roys.

"Impugned notice(s) dated March 31, 2016, issued ...