Telangana HC Chief Justice Urges Timely Dispute Resolution in Tech and Telecom

HYDERABAD — Telangana High Court Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh on Saturday stressed the need for timely and expert dispute resolution in sectors such as telecom, broadcasting, airport tariffs, and cyber technology. Speaking at a seminar in Hyderabad titled "Mechanisms for Resolution of Disputes in Airport Tariffs, Telecom, Broadcasting and Cyber Sectors", he noted that specialised tribunals are essential to handle technically complex regulatory disputes.

Justice Singh traced the evolution of specialised dispute resolution frameworks in the telecom sector following liberalisation and the entry of private companies. He highlighted the establishment of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 1997 and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in 2000 as crucial milestones in this progression.

He further noted that TDSAT's jurisdiction was subsequently expanded to cover broadcasting, cable services, and airport tariff disputes. Justice Singh emphasised that specialised adjudication must always remain subject to judicial review and the rule of law, referencing the Supreme Court's ruling in the L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India case.

TDSAT chairperson Justice D.N. Patel, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the tribunal's role in delivering specialised and time-bound remedies. He outlined the dispute resolution process under the Information Technology Act, explaining that compensation claims up to Rs 5 crore are initially handled by designated adjudicating officers, with TDSAT hearing appeals against their decisions.

Justice Patel added that compensation claims exceeding Rs 5 crore fall outside the tribunal's jurisdiction and are handled by competent civil courts. He called for increased awareness regarding these legal provisions among police personnel, income-tax department authorities, regulators, and lawyers, while also advocating for mediation and voluntary settlements to resolve specialised disputes.