The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Monday said that functioning of the tribunal will be restricted to urgent matters for a fortnight till April 1 in view of the Health Ministry advisory regarding the spread of COVID-19 as global pandemic advising against mass congregation.
On Monday, Hon’ble Chairperson, TDSAT convened a meeting with the Telecom Lawyers’ Association (TLA) and decided that there would be no listing of any matter before the Hon’ble Tribunal from 17 March to 01 April. Fresh matters listed on 17 March would be an exception and part-heard matters if any.
The counsel for the parties whose cases are listed during the time period can obtain a convenient date of listing of the matter over the telephone. The tribunal has also put a limitation on the appearance of advocates in the courtroom with only one arguing advocate accompanied by a maximum of one person.
TDSAT has also extended all interim orders expiring during the said period of 17 March to 01 April till 01 April 2020. During the said period, there will be no pleadings including fresh matters except urgent matters.
For filing and listing of urgent matters, the said party is to contact the Deputy Registrar over the phone who shall decide the urgency and intimate his decision to the party.
There will be no listing of matter before the Registrar court and Meditation center of TDSAT during the said period. Parties who were given time to file their pleadings during the same period have their time for filing extended till April 1. The tribunal will hold a review meeting on April 1 to chart the future course. It has advised all advocates to avoid visiting the TDSAT except for the aforesaid urgent matters.
