Free to Air (FTA) Broadcaster Sadhna Media has moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) at the end of May against Antrix Corporation. The petition included four petitioners and is against the recoveries demanded by Antrix. The petition has also impleaded the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
Four petitioners have preferred the petition including Softline Media Network. The identity of rest two is not known yet. The petitioners have been allowed to maintain a joint petition however the tribunal has directed to submit payment of three more set of Court Fee within one week or the petition will remain confined to Sadhna Media. The petitioners have also been allowed to file amended Memo of Parties to correctly show the name of ‘Softline Media Network Pvt. Ltd.’.
While Antrix’s counsel was present for hearing, the counsel for I&B Ministry was not present. The tribunal has set the case for hearing in July now. The case is likely linked to the dues owed by Sadhna and other broadcasters to Antrix which they seem to be challenging.
Sadhna holds the license for Aryan TV National, Bhojpuri Dhamaka Dishum, Sadhna Plus News, Sadhna Prime News while Softline Media has the license for Sadhna News TV. Prabhatam Advertising and Sharp Eye Advertising are likely to be the rest 2 petitioners apart from Sadhna and Softline.
