Chennai: Sun TV Network has filed a case against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in Madras High Court, challenging the industry Regulator’s recent amendments to New Tariff Order (NTO), which largely restricted the pricing freedom of broadcasters.
Sun TV has filed the case while industry body IBF in Bombay High Court has already filed case and the hearing for the same is scheduled on 30th January 2020.
Sun TV’s petition camefor hearing yesterday before the bench of Chief Justice AP Sahi andJustice Subramonium Prasad. In its case Sun TV articulated that TRAI has amended the new tariff order arbitrarily without consulting the broadcasters, nor gave any opportunity to put forward their plight. The Broadcaster necessitated quashing of the amendments to New Tariff Order that prompts reduction of maximum a-la-cart pricing from Rs 19 to Rs 12 effect from 1st March 2020.
Representing TRAI, senior counsel G. Rajagopalan informed the bench on similar case filed by IBF before the Bombay High Court and the hearing for the same being scheduled and 30th January 2020. Subsequently, he requested to court to adjourn the mater until the Bombay High Court hearing.
The Madras HC bench took note of the same and posted the matter for hearing on 4th February 2020. It also included the Central government a party to the case and asked TRAI to respond during the next session.
