HC orders notice on Sun TV petition

Chennai, Jul 24 (UNI) Madras High Court today ordered notice on a petition filed by the Sun TV Network seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu Government to take action on complaints of illegal tapping of its signals by Royal Cable Vision (RCV), a MSO floated by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's elder son, Mr M K Alzhagiri.

The channel, represented by Authorised Signatory L Jotheeswaran, in its petition, cited the State Home Secretary,Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Madurai and nine Police Inspectors in Madurai as respondents.

The RCV and 12 private cable operators were also cited as respondents.

Mr Justice A Kulaseharan directed the respondents to file their counter within two weeks.

In the petition, Mr Jotheeswaran submitted the satellite channel's right to uplink and broadcast its signals to the ultimate consumers or distributors was guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, similar to freedom of speech and expression.

The rights of the Sun TV were illegally curtained by the RCV and others since the government acted in connivance with them by failing to respond to the representations on their illegal activities.

This was nothing but a direct violation of the fundamental rights, the petitioner contended.

The petitioner further prayed to the court to direct the government to ensure the police initiated action on their complaints.

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