MUMBAI: Leading direct-to-home (DTH) operator Dish TV paid Star India Rs 55 crore adhering to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order dated 23 July. The tribunal, in its 29 July order, also noted that Star India has admitted and acknowledged the payment.

TDSAT had earlier directed Dish TV to pay Rs 55 crore to the broadcaster by 27 July in order to avoid disconnection of signals. Star India issued a disconnection notice against Dish TV on 3 July and also filed a recovery petition in the TDSAT.

"We had clearly indicated in the last order that further protection to be given to the petitioner against the notice of disconnection will depend upon its commitment to take care of the current outstanding dues of every succeeding month," TDSAT said in its latest order.

Learned senior counsel for Dish TV also submitted that the company is ready to undertake payment of current invoices as per the agreement. It has also been recorded that the invoices for the month of June has already been raised and is payable by 10 August.

“Petitioner should pay against that invoices within time. In a similar fashion, the current dues of every succeeding month shall be paid by the petitioner by the due date if it wants to have the interim protection during the pendency of this petition,” the order read.

While Dish TV wanted to clear the remaining dues of Rs 195 crore in not two but minimum five instalments of Rs 40 crore each, Star India strongly protested against this offer. TDSAT is also of the view that admitted dues should not remain unpaid for such a long time because it is likely to affect the business of the respondent. The tribunal expects the petitioner to clear the outstanding arrears as noted above in approximately equal instalments by the end of this October.

“By the next date petitioner must show its bonafide by paying Rs 65 crore by end of August towards the liquidation of said arrears.  This is in addition to the payment for the current dues. If the petitioner fulfils this condition and makes the payment within time, the impugned notice shall not be given effect to till the next date,” the order stated. 

TDSAT posted the matter under the same head to 4 October.