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HC issues notice to Centre, BCCI on telecast rights
MUMBAI: Responding to Zee Telefilms’ (ZTL) petition seeking the quashing of BCCI’s ‘invitation to tender’ (ITT) for telecast and broadcast rights for the next four years, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Centre and the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).
A division bench of acting chief justice B A Khan and justice Madan B Lokur asked the Centre and BCCI to respond to the petition by 24 August, the next date of hearing, reports PTI. The last date for submission of ITT is 26 August.
ZTL had alleged that the eligibility conditions were framed to oust bidders from India in its petition filed on 19 August. ZTL counsel Pratibha M Singh said the present set of eligibility conditions for ITT was framed by BCCI in such a manner so as to try to “exclude” the petitioner and/or other Indian television channels and favour ESPN Star Sports.
BCCI had released tenders for the telecast of 130 days of cricket between October 2005 to September 2009 last week. The TV tender rights document contains a three-year experience clause which effectively rules out Zee TV from making a bid. The experience clause reportedly insists that one has to have three years of experience in telecasting cricket matches of international repute in India and abroad.
On 20 August, BCCI issued an addendum to the ITT which states, “After the words “(not also through any agency by whatever name called, the following words are being added: “Except that the original First license being executed by any agency for and on behalf of the Original Event Owner).”
According to some industry sources, the addendum was allegedly sent out by BCCI after it realised that Sony Entertainment Television’s ICC cricket and all of ESPN’s cricket came via agents (Bangladesh originally via World Tel, the other ones via Octagon).
In the addendum notice, a copy of which is in the possession of indiantelevision.com, BCCI states that the addendum is issued due to supervening circumstances. “By invoking Clause 3.1.2 read with Clauses 7 (b) and (c) of part 1 of the ITT, the addendum is issued relating to and/or concerning “Eligibility” as provided Clause 2 of Part 1 of ITT,” it says.
TENDER SUBMISSION DEADLINE NOW 26 AUGUST
The addendum also extended the deadline for submission of tenders till 2 pm (IST), 26 August.
It may be recalled that a senior official of BCCI had told Indiantelevision.com on 4 August (the day the cricket board met to decide on the the tender drafts) that the eligibility criteria drafted, once okayed, would effectively rule out Zee’s participation in the bidding process.
“After all, there has to be some criteria. We are looking at saying in black and white that to be eligible for the rights, one has to have three years of experience in telecasting cricket matches of international repute in India and abroad,” the BCCI official said, making it clear that the cricket board had not taken very kindly to the long drawn litigation process involving Zee and ESS that has cost the Board dearly in terms of revenue.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
