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Petitions not maintainable if no interconnect agreement is produced: TDSAT
NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has made it clear in six different petitions relating to recovery of dues in the absence of an interconnect agreement may not be maintainable.
In five cases filed by IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd against Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Udhistar, Sai Cable Network – II, Vinesh Tyagi, and Anita Sehrawat, the Tribunal noted that an interconnect agreement was executed on 22 August last but the petitions were for recovery of dues prior to that.
TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said, “From the agreement it does not appear that it covered any period prior to the date of its execution.”
The Tribunal added that it was “not at all clear as to how and on what basis the respondent was supplying signals in the absence of any agreement in writing.”
Indusind counsel Kanupriya Gupta was given time to find out if there was any agreement prior to the one annexed with the petition.
The matter was listed for 2 March but it was made clear that in case there is no agreement prior to the agreement dated 22 August, 2015, this petition for recovery of the alleged dues prior to that date may not be maintainable.
In another case by IndusInd against Vajeshwar Gundla for recovery of alleged dues of subscription fee and return of set top boxes, the Tribunal was informed that all the 144 STBs had been returned.
However, the Tribunal said the petition had been filed without any interconnect agreement between the two sides.
Vajeshwar Gundla counsel Tushar Singh said there was no averment that the relationship between the two sides was on the basis of any agreement in writing.
However, IndusInd counsel Vandana Jaisingh said there was no mention about the interconnect agreement as it was not traceable and wanted more time.
While adjourning the matter for 10 March, the Tribunal said, “It is made clear that in case no interconnect agreement is found to be in existence between the two sides, that will raise a question regarding the very maintainability of this petition.”
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.
