SC dismisses Star India petition against TRAI Act amendment

New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition filed by Star India Limited challenging the amendment to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act bringing TV channels and cable network within the purview of TRAI Act.

A bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju, however, made it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the maintainability of the petition.

Star India had challenged the Delhi High Court order dated July 9, 2007 dismissing its writ petition.

The government had inducted proviso to section 2(k) to give the TV channels and cable network their distribution rights which include receiving of science signals and images within the purview of the TRAI Act. The impugned amendment came into force on January 24, 2000.

The petitioners have also raised the issue whether a company incorporated and registered in India under the Companies Act can be denied its constitutional and legal rights simply because majority of the share holders in the company are foreigners.

UNI AKS/SC BDP HS1441