Mumbai: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has issued a non-bailable warrant against TV Vision Managing Director Ravi Gautam Adhikari for failing to comply with its order directing the broadcaster to pay more than Rs 10.72 crore to Hathway Digital.
In its order dated July 21, the tribunal directed that Ravi Gautam Adhikari be arrested and produced before it, observing that TV Vision had failed to comply with its earlier order issued on July 9, 2025, and that there was no stay on the directive from any court. The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice D.N. Patel, Chairperson, and Dr Sanjeev Banzal, Member.
The dispute stems from Hathway Digital’s claim that TV Vision defaulted on payments amounting to Rs 10.72 crore under a commercial distribution agreement. Hathway approached TDSAT in 2023 seeking recovery of the outstanding dues.
In its July 9, 2025 order, the tribunal had directed TV Vision to clear the dues by August 31, 2025, warning that failure to do so would require the personal appearance of authorised representative Markand Adhikari and Managing Director Ravi Gautam Adhikari before the tribunal.
According to Hathway, neither the payment nor Ravi Adhikari’s appearance took place, prompting the company to initiate contempt proceedings.
During the latest hearing, TV Vision informed the tribunal that it had filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court. However, TDSAT observed that no stay had been granted on its earlier order and, therefore, the directions remained enforceable.
The tribunal further noted that the broadcaster had repeatedly sought adjournments and appeared “not interested” in arguing the matter on merits, referring to similar observations made earlier this year. It also took note of Hathway’s submission that TV Vision had allegedly settled payments with other creditors while leaving Hathway’s dues unpaid, even as its channels continued to operate on OTT platforms.
Finding continued non-compliance with its directions, TDSAT ordered that Ravi Gautam Adhikari be “arrested and presented before this Tribunal immediately.” The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 5.
Apart from the payment dispute, the tribunal also granted interim relief to GTPL Hathway in separate proceedings relating to the alleged swapping of set-top boxes by local cable operators.
TV Vision, part of the Shri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) Group, was founded by the late Gautam Adhikari and Markand Adhikari. The broadcaster previously operated television channels including Mastiii, Dabangg and Dhamaal, which are no longer in operation.
