Sir,

The local cable operators in every town are authorised to exhibit & relay programs which are registered by the Central Govt under TRAI and are known as Pay channels like Star Plus Zee News etc and for which these satellite channels pay yearly registration fees to the Central Govt  which runs in lakhs and are also governed by certain rules and regulations including the Censor board. 

The Local Cable operators also exhibit, relay & broadcast private programmes like local news of that particular Town, functions, seminars, advertizements, local municipal news, movies, dramas,songs, music etc on 3 to 4 local channels through their cable other than pay channels and which is the main source of their income as well as a toll to keep certain political opponents/parties/contractors etc at a check by way of exposing them without the authorization from the censor board, the police or any of the Govt agencies.

My query is:

1. Is it compulsory for the Cable operators to obtain a permission or a license fro the central Govt to exhibit & display and broadcast such private news & personal programmes.

2. Which is the authority which sanctions permissions to local cable TV operates to exhibit such programmes.

3. If in case, the local TV operator has not obtained such a license, permission or authorization can the police intervene in such matters and stop the relay which malign the character of certain respectful figures of the town.

4.What is the highest amount of action which can be taken against such cable operator who try to blackmail respectable persons by way of local news through their private cable channels and who is the most competent authority.

5. Can the Judiciary intervene by way of a Writ Petition of PIL and cancel the license of these Cable operators.

 6. Which are the best Advocates and Senior counsels  in Mumbai High Court who are best suited for these matters.

With regards & Thanks

Bhushan Khatri