High Court
Madras HC permits Sun Group’s Suryan FM to participate in auction
MUMBAI: Following the Delhi High Court’s interim order, which permitted Red FM to attend mock auctions for Phase III, a directive has been issued by the Madras High Court, allowing Suryan FM to participate in the actual FM auctions.
With this, Sun Group’s Kal Radio, which runs Suryan FM, will now participate in the auctions. Sun Group earlier challenged the Union Ministry’s decision of not giving the company security clearance, due to which the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry failed to include Sun Group in the pre-bidders list for the Phase III auctions process.
No official statement was issued at the time of filing this report, as the Network is awaiting the hard copy from High Court. Justice M Sathyanarayanan passed the order on the petition filed by the company.
A few days ago, the networks – Digital Radio Broadcasting and Kal Radio, approached the Delhi and Madras High Courts seeking judicial directive on the Ministry’s decision to keep them away from the auctions.
Mock auctions for Phase III are scheduled to take place on 22 and 23 July, 2015, while the actual auction will begin from 27 July, 2015.
P S Raman, senior counsel had appeared on behalf of the petitioner. He pointed out that Dayanidhi Maran is not a shareholder in any of these companies, and that he is under serious charges, and not the company or its subsidiaries. The reason for denial by the Ministry was in line with allegations of Dayanidhi Maran’s holding in the companies. Raman also argued that restriction is against the fundamental rights of freedom of expression.
He also stated that there is no clause in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, where there is a mention of security clearance.
The Sun Group counsel also pointed out that Reliance’s Big FM was permitted to take part in the auctions even though the network was under serious charges as well.
On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan pointed fingers at the group’s promoters facing serious economic offences. According to the Centre, it will not go down well with the people of the country, if the network was permitted to participate in bidding of licenses.
Meanwhile, the final verdict from the Delhi High Court is expected to be revealed on 24 July.
High Court
Delhi HC blocks illegal IPL 2026 streams, backs JioStar rights
Court orders swift takedowns, expands crackdown on piracy apps
NEW DELHI: In a timely move ahead of the cricketing season, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to JioStar India Private Limited, clamping down on illegal streaming of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026.
The court passed ex parte ad interim injunctions in two separate suits, restraining rogue websites and mobile applications from broadcasting IPL matches without authorisation. The tournament is set to begin on 28 March, making the timing of the order particularly significant.
Recognising JioStar’s exclusive digital and broadcast rights for the IPL cycle from 2023 to 2027, the court observed that unauthorised streaming would infringe its statutory and proprietary rights, potentially causing irreparable losses.
In one case, the court directed several identified websites to immediately stop hosting or streaming IPL content. It also issued a dynamic injunction, allowing JioStar to flag new infringing platforms in real time, which must then be blocked swiftly by domain registrars and internet service providers.
In a parallel order, the court turned its attention to piracy through mobile apps, particularly Android-based platforms distributing content via APK files. A broader dynamic+ injunction was granted, extending to future variants, mirror links and related interfaces, signalling a tougher stance on evolving piracy tactics.
The court also directed domain name registrars to suspend offending domains and share registrant details, including KYC and payment information. Internet service providers and telecom operators have been instructed to block access within strict timelines, in some instances within 36 hours. Both the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have been asked to facilitate enforcement through necessary notifications.
Noting the fast-changing nature of digital piracy, the court emphasised the need for real-time enforcement tools to keep pace with anonymous and constantly shifting networks. It also underlined the commercial impact of piracy on legitimate rights holders.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting intellectual property in the digital age. For viewers, it is a reminder to stick to official platforms as the IPL season kicks off under tighter watch.
