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No coercive action against Disney Star: Bombay HC to CCI
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the Competition Commission of India (CCI) not to take coercive action against three broadcasters – Asianet Star Communications, Disney Broadcasting (India), and Star India in furtherance of an order initiating investigation against such companies. A bench of justices Gautam Patel and Madhav Jamdar passed the judgement, according to Bar and Bench report on Friday.
The court also directed the petitioners to furnish to the director general of CCI the documentary material called for in response to the queries in furtherance of the order, on a without prejudice and no-equities basis.
The director general was also ordered to keep the information collected by him confidential as required by law until the next hearing date.
The bench passed the order in writ petitions filed by the three petitioners challenging an order of CCI passed on 28 February directing its director general to initiate investigation under Section 26 of the Competition Act based on a complaint by Asianet Network Digital.
Asianet is in the business of distribution of TV channels to customers through local cable operators predominantly in Kerala. It had contended in its complaint that broadcasters such as the petitioners, must not have discriminatory pricing in commercial contracts with multi-service operators (MSOs) such as Asianet.
In the complaint, Asianet referred to the regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), which prohibits discriminatory in commercial contracts with MSOs.
Asianet stated that the petitioners, by abusing their position of dominance, provided significant discounts to a direct competitor through allied agreements that apparently offered a cashback system. The petitioners intended to bypass the Trai/TDSAT set-caps or upper limits with an intent to provide unfair advantage to Asianet’s competitors.
In view of this, CCI ordered the director general to conduct an investigation and submit a report within 60 days. The same was challenged before the high court.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
