Jaikumar v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 08.09.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.37999 of 2025 Jaikumar ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Secretary, The Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 2, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi - 110 001.
2.The Secretary, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Old Minto Road), New Delhi - 110 002.
3.The District Collector/Nodal Office (Cable TV), Ariyalur, Ariyalur District.
4.Selvaraj ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to take action against the 4th respondent for illegally using defunct Page No.1 of 6
Aircel Optic Fiber Network Lines illegally for transmitting Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Signal, which is laid from Jeyamkondam to Rangiyam (to an extent 18 Kms) and from Jeyamkondam to Senthurai (to an extent 30 Kms) in total to an extent of 48 Kms in Ariyalur District, pursuant to the communication of the 1st respondent dated 08.07.2025, based on the representation of the petitioner dated 25.06.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Prasanna Vinoth For Respondents : Ms.S.Shalni Central Government Standing Counsel [R1] Notice dispensed with [R2 & R4] Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai Government Advocate [R3] *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to take action against the 4th respondent for illegally using defunct Aircel Optic Fiber Network Lines illegally for transmitting Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Signal, which is laid from Jeyamkondam to Rangiyam (to an extent 18 Kms) and from Jeyamkondam to Senthurai (to an extent 30 Kms) in total to an extent of 48 Kms in Ariyalur District, pursuant to the communication of the 1st respondent dated 08.07.2025, based on the representation of the petitioner dated 25.06.2025. Page No.2 of 6
2. Since no adverse order has been passed against the respondents 2 and 4, notice to the respondents 2 and 4 is dispensed with.
3. Ms.S.Shalni, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the 3rd respondent. In view of the consent expressed by the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
4. The case of the petitioner is that the 4th respondent is illegally using the underground Optic Fiber Network belonging to Aircel, to transmit his Digital Signal obtained from TACTV to certain Cable Operators under him. Therefore, the petitioner has made a representation dated 25.06.2025 before the respondents 1 to 3, pursuant to which, the 1st respondent, vide communication dated 08.07.2025, has directed the 3rd respondent to investigate the matter and take appropriate action under the legal provisions. Even thereafter, the 3rd respondent has kept the petitioner's representation pending without any progress. Hence, the petitioner has filed this writ petition before this Court for appropriate orders.
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5. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that it would suffice, if this Court, issues a direction to the 3rd respondent to conduct enquiry and take appropriate action against the 4th respondent by considering the petitioner's representation dated 25.06.2025 and the communication of the 1st respondent dated 08.07.2025, within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.
6. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 3rd respondent to conduct enquiry based on the communication sent by the 1st respondent dated 08.07.2025, pursuant to the petitioner's representation dated 25.06.2025, and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner as well as the 4th respondent. Page No.4 of 6
7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 08.09.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp To 1.The Secretary, Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 2, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi - 110 001.
2.The Secretary, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Old Minto Road), New Delhi - 110 002.
3.The District Collector/Nodal Office (Cable TV), Ariyalur, Ariyalur District.
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M.DHANDAPANI, J.
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