Turner also a defaulter: TataSky

Turner also a defaulter: TataSky

NEW DELHI: In a curious development on the TataSky Vs Zee group case on getting the Zee channels on the DTH operator‘s platform, which the Tdsat had already decided and held Zee defaulter for not giving feed to TataSky, the principal player, Turner International yesterday wanted to wash its hands off the court pronouncement.

Turner International had filed a review petition last week saying that it may not be included in the case, as it was its partners Zee Telefilms, ASC International and Zee Turner which had been engaged in the dealing with the Tata-Star JV.

 

The court had earlier found that Zee was not providing TataSky its channel feeds on a non-discriminatory basis, a pronouncement which legal experts say could even lead to the cancellation of Zee‘s license.

However, TataSky legal counsel told the court that Turner was actively involved for all these months of negotiations and court hearings and it could not walk out when the judgement held the group a defaulter.

Tdsat had held that all the Zee companies had defaulted, and yesterday TataSky argued that Turner International (India) was also a defaulter in the case.

"It hardly matters whether the channels are provided to us by their agent or the owner itself," said the counsel, adding that as per the Indian Contract Act, a master is liable for the act done by his agent."

 

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal bench asked Turner (India) why it had support Zee-Turner non-sharing of signal with TataSky. "You could have taken an independent stand," it added.

The next hearing of the case has been slated for July.