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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bombay HC asks TDSAT for an early hearing in Sony–Tata Play dispute
The Bombay High Court has asked the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ) to consider hearing broadcasting petitions and related applications involving Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and Tata Play ahead of schedule—preferably in the first week of July 2025. The direction came as the High Court disposed of a writ petition filed by SPNI, which sought to withdraw the matter citing the pendency of related proceedings before the TDSAT. The tribunal has currently scheduled the hearing between the two parties for July 23. The withdrawal was made without any objection from Tata Play. The order dated June 17 was uploaded today. During the hearing on June 17, senior counsel for SPNI also sought the court's permission to address consumer concerns via social media, a request to which Tata Play raised no objection. The court permitted SPNI to publish a clarifying message stating that while the dispute is sub judice, its channels remain available on Tata Play, both on an a-la-carte basis and as part of its bouquets. Customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number to activate these channels. Live Events The bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale, clarified that all legal rights and contentions of the parties are kept open and remain unaffected by the withdrawal of the petition. SPNI had approached the High Court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, either directly or indirectly. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam. The dispute pertains to the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play, which has around 18 million subscribers. Following the disagreement, Tata Play started removing SPNI channels from its consumer packs following which the broadcaster started running scrolls on its channels urging viewers to switch to other operators for continued access to its channels. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH service provider . The tribunal had earlier clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, which directed SPNI to remove on-screen scrolls referring to Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play, in turn, was directed to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore towards the broadcaster's dues. Earlier, the High Court had issued notices to both TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter, initially scheduled for hearing on June 16, was adjourned to June 17. In its submissions to TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid around Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai high court allows 14-year-old rape survivor to end 26-week pregnancy
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Thursday allowed a 14-year-old rape survivor to end her 26-week pregnency after a medical board said that she was allowed to undergo a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). A division bench of justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale let the minor terminate the advanced pregnancy after acknowledging her right to reproductive freedom, her autonomy over her body, her right to choice, and after consulting a medical board. Under the MTP Act, 2021, 24 weeks is the permissible limit to end a pregnancy, but the minor approached the Bombay high court after crossing the 24-week limit and said that she was only 14 years old and was unable and unwilling to carry the pregnancy forward. The court, on June 6, responded by ordering the civil surgeon, Alibag, to constitute a medical board to examine the minor's physical and mental health and submit a report to the court. The medical board said that since the girl was a minor the MTP could be allowed after treating her anemia. Additional government pleader MP Thakur asked the court to pass orders based on the medical board's report. Members of the medical court assessed her anemia and told the court on June 10 that her hemoglobin levels had risen sufficiently and she was fit to undergo the procedure. Once doctors said that the MTP would not complicate the minor's future pregnancies the court allowed her to undergo the procedure and end her pregnancy.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sony moves Bombay HC to challenge TDSAT stay on Tata Play disconnection
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has moved the Bombay High Court to challenge a recent Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order restraining SPNI from proceeding with a disconnection notice issued to direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Play . A division bench of the court comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale on Tuesday issued notices to TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Monday, June 16. SPNI, a Sony Group Corp-owned entity operating under the legal name Culver Max Entertainment, runs 27 television channels. It issued a disconnection notice to Tata Play, the country's largest DTH operator with 18 million subscribers, after the latter decided to remove its channels from consumer packs following disagreements over the renewal of their annual subscription deal. While staying SPNI's disconnection notice on May 27, TDSAT had directed Tata Play to pay Rs 40 crore to the broadcaster within two weeks as part-payment against SPNI's claimed dues of Rs 128 crore. The tribunal said this amount would be adjusted against the final liability determined during the final hearing. People familiar with the dispute between the two said SPNI is seeking a fee hike, which Tata Play has resisted citing declining viewership of its channels. TDSAT in its order noted that not granting the stay could result in irreparable harm to Tata Play. It directed both parties to reconcile their differences, including at the account level. In the High Court, senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha & Partners, appeared for SPNI to challenge the TDSAT order. Senior counsel Ravi Kadam is representing Tata Play. In the TDSAT, Tata Play's counsel argued that the broadcaster's demand was unjustified, claiming the company had already paid about Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade, including Rs 700 crore annually. They further contended that substantial payments had been made since SPNI's initial communication in March 2025, which had sought dues of Rs 300 crore. Tata Play, jointly owned by Tata Sons (70%) and Walt Disney (30%), reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 510 crore for FY25, up 44% from Rs 354 crore the previous year. Revenue declined 5.46% to Rs 4,082 crore, driven by subscriber losses amid increased competition from DD Free Dish and the rising popularity of OTT platforms. SPNI reported a 19% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 839 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Revenue from operations fell 3% to Rs 6,510 crore, with advertising revenue declining 11% to Rs 2,912 crore, while subscription revenue rose 7% to Rs 3,346 crore. According to Ashish Pyasi, partner at law firm Aendri Legal, the TDSAT resolves conflicts between telecom and broadcast companies. Its rulings can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. There is no provision for challenging the interim orders to the Supreme Court. 'However, if someone files a writ petition in the High Court against a temporary TDSAT order, they are asking the High Court to use its special powers, which is only allowed in rare cases,' adds Pyasi.
United News of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
HC asks Maha to decide plea seeking permission for Eid prayer
Mumbai, June 6 (UNI) The Bombay High Court on Friday asked the secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, government of Maharashtra, to decide on an application seeking permission to hold annual Bakr Eid namaaz at Mumbai's historic August Kranti Maidan. A vacation bench of justices Neela Gokhale and Manjusha Deshpande gave direction in response to a petition moved by Umer Abdul Jabbar Gopalani, challenging the local Gamdevi police decision refusing to grant permission, citing law and order and traffic congestion issues. In his petition Goplani said the fire and traffic departments had granted an NOC whereas the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked it to get another NOC from the directorate of archaeology and museum; and thereafter it said it will consider the application. He also argued that the namaz has been performed at the Maidan for over 50 years without any incidents and if the permission is granted to the petitioner, the petitioner will take all necessary precautions to avoid law and order situation. The state government represented by public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar objected and clarified that both agencies had only issued conditional clearances. He also said that the police's decision was based partly on the refusal of permission in 2024. However, the petitioner argued that no valid reason had been provided in last year's refusal and that precedent alone could not justify rejection in 2025. UNI AAA PRS
The Print
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Plea seeks nod to offer Eid prayers at August Kranti Maidan; HC asks Maharashtra govt to decide
Gopalani had moved the HC after the Gamdevi police station refused permission for the mass namaz. The festival is likely to be celebrated on June 6-7. A vacation bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Manjusha Deshpande asked a social worker, Umer Abdul Jabbar Gopalani, to approach the government's social and cultural affairs department to seek permission to hold mass prayers at the ground. Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Friday asked the Maharashtra government to decide, preferably during the day itself, a representation seeking permission to perform namaz during Bakri Eid at the August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai. While refusing permission, the police had reasoned that traffic issues and a possible 'law and order' situation might arise due to the use of the public ground for such a religious purpose. The plea claimed that the local Muslim community has been using the ground to perform mass namaz during Eid for the last 50 years, and there has never been any law and order situation or traffic problem. The bench referred to an order passed by the HC in 2006, which said that permission for the use of the August Kranti Maidan can be given only by the Secretary of Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs and Social Justice Department, as the ground is a 'protected monument'. August Kranti Maidan is the place where Mahatma Gandhi had launched the Quit India Movement in 1942. The court asked the petitioner to make a representation to the authority and said the same shall be decided, preferably by Friday itself. PTI SP NR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
