MM Sundresh J to decide TRAI Tariff dispute pending in Madras HC

Justice MM Sundresh will sit in judgment over the challenge to the 2017 Tariff Order and Interconnection Regulations introduced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) pending in the Madras High Court..This development comes after the First Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar was unable to arrive at a consensus in the matter earlier this month..The impugned regulations lay down certain restrictions on the manner in which TV channels are packaged and priced. The same has been challenged as being beyond TRAI’s jurisdiction by television networks Star India and Vijay TV, as well as the Indian Broadcasting Foundation..Following the High Court’s split verdict, the case was referred to a third judge to decide. The order passed by the Division Bench states,.“Since we have not been able to agree, the writ petitions may be placed before a third Judge. Since the Chief Justice has delivered the dissenting judgment, the matter may be placed before the next available Judge in order of seniority for nomination of the Judge before whom the matter may be placed.”.Earlier this week, the Supreme Court directed that the High Court dispose of the case within one month. An order passed last Monday by a Bench of Justices AK Goel and RF Nariman states,.“It is not disputed that the judgment has been given by the Division Bench of the Madras High Court but the two judges have taken conflicting views and the matter stands transferred to a third judge..In view of above we request the third judge to decide the matter as far as possible within one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order..We make it clear that this order is being passed in view of the fact that the matter has been pending for quite some time and the interim order is in operation.”.The matter will now be heard afresh by Justice Sundresh. However, the Supreme Court has reportedly indicated that it would take up the matter if it is not settled in the Madras High Court by July..Read Supreme Court order: