MUMBAI: The Rajan Raheja-controlled Hathway Cable & Datacom, a multi-system operator, on Wednesday filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging Star India's claim of outstanding dues, which, if not paid, could lead to disconnection of Star bouquet for the MSO country-wide.

In its petition, Hathway has contended that its dues are well within the business credit period. Star India had served a one-month notice earlier this month to Hathway threatening to disconnect its channels if dues are not cleared.

The case, which was admitted during the court vacations, will be heard on 4 July. The Union government too has been made a party to the case.

Star India, industry sources say, is claiming approximately Rs 470 million as the outstanding amount. Hathway, on the other hand, maintains it owes just Rs 40 million.

This is the first public face off between the two partners, five years after the Star Group acquired a 26 per cent stake in Hathway.

The channels within the network that Star has threatened to de-link from Hathway include Star Plus, Star Movies, Star World, Star Gold, Star News, Utsav, Star One, Vijay TV, National Geographic Channel, The History Channel, Channel [V], Hungama TV and the two Walt Disney channels - Toon Disney and The Disney Channel.

Star and Hathway executives were not willing to comment on the issue.