TDSAT cracks down on Hyderabad firm, directors in crosshairs

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has issued bailable warrants against two directors of Hyderabad Cable Digital Service (HCDS) Private Limited and restrained the company from selling or transferring its business to a third party on a broadcasting petition moved by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL).

The order by the TDSAT bench of Justice DN Patel and member Subodh Kumar Gupta noted that counsel for the petitioner, Upender Thakur and Yasheshvi Vashishtha, had submitted that the respondent HCDS is liable to pay Rs 2.02 crore approximately.

This is towards outstanding regular subscription dues till May 2023 as per agreements and towards the additional outstanding subscription dues following audit of the respondent’s system by TRAI empanelled auditor KPMG but excluding the interest of 18% per annum payable as per agreements.

ZEEL had sought that the respondent be restrained from transferring its properties to any other third party during the pendency of the broadcasting petition, which was granted.

The TDSAT directed the respondent to file an affidavit stating the properties of the respondent as on date of filing of the broadcast petition which is October 30, 2023. This affidavit shall be filed by one of the directors of respondent.

The bench then issued bailable warrants upon the directors of the respondent of Rs 5 lakh for each of the directors, B.V. Rajeshwara Rao and B. Rajitha, residents of D.No- 15-55, Near Kodandaram Nagar, Near Community Hall Dilsuknagar Hyderabad -500060.

Vanasthalipuram Police Station under whose limits the directors stay has been asked to serve notice to them. A copy has also been marked for the Rangareddy District Magistrate in Telangana to percolate to his subordinates on the order restraining the respondents from selling or transferring the said properties.

The matter has been adjourned to February 21, 2024. India Legal