TDSAT appoints commissioner to inspect compliance of its order

Broadcast tribunal TDSAT on Tuesday appointed a local commissioner to inspect compliance of its order directing three Mumbai-based channel distributors to restore signals of Indusind Media and Communications Ltd. The move follows TDSAT’s directions over a contempt application moved by the Multi System Operator (MSO) Indusind Media against its former distributors. In its contempt application, Indusind Media has contended that despite the order of the Telecom Disp utes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on April 24 its signals were being not restored back to the local cable operators and area cable operators.

However, the distributors – In Cable Communication, Sai Ganesh Enterprise and Satekrishmani Network – objected to Indusind Media’s contention by saying that as per the tribunal’s order they had already restored Indusind’s feed. To verify the contradictory claims by both sides, Justice Mr Arun Kumar, Chairman of TDSAT appointed Mr Meet Malhotra as the local commissioner and directed him to go and inspect their facilities at Mumbai and also to submit a report before it.

Earlier on April 24, observing that the distributors did not tender mandatory 21 days notice to Indusind Media before disconnection. The TDSAT directed them to restore the signals. The tribunal had held that as per the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection Regulations, 2006 a three-week notice was mandatory before disconnection of signals.

According to the petition filed by Indusind Media, these distributors, operating in Boriwali, Goregaon, Chembur and Bhandup areas, had formed their own MSO (multi-system operator) called Scod 18 Networking Pvt Ltd. The distributors, which are re-transmitting signals since 1999, stopped forwarding the Indusind Media feed on April 12. Info: thehindubusinessline.com