Madras HC refused to register cases on complains by Sun TV

Chennai, Aug 19 (UNI) Madras High Court has refused the registration of criminal cases against Royal Cable Vision (RCV), on the basis of complaints lodged by Sun TV Network Limited.

Justice K Venkataraman, declining to grant the ''omnibus prayer'' of Sun TV, said the channel authorities had three appeal provisions, in case, the local police refused to register an FIR.

Approacing the Superintendent or Commissioner of police as provided under Section 154(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure is the first option, the second option is to approach the Judicial Magistrate court for a direction to register an FIR as envisaged under Section 156(3) of CrPC. The third option is to invoke Section 200 CrPC and file a private complaint before the Judicial Magistrate court.

Making it clear that the remedy of Sun TV did not lie before the High Court, the Judge said the court's jurisdiction under Section 226 and 227 of the Constitution could not be invoked for the purpose.

Sun TV had alleged that the RCV and other local cable operators were illegally tapping its signals and distributing it unlawfully to the customers. Though there were nearly 30 complaints, no police station was ready to register an FIR.

UNI XR JT UCS1324 1