NEW DELHI: Sai Prasad Media Private Ltd which broadcasts News Express has been directed by the TelecomDisputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to pay a sum of Rs 35,88,009 along with interest @8 percent till the date of final payment of the amount to multi-system operator Fastway Transmission Pvt Ltd.

The case of the petitioner is that it entered into a channel placement agreement for placement of News Express on 27 September 2013 for the period 15 July 2013 to 14 July 2013. Sai Prasad Media was required to pay an amount of Rs 1,07,20,000 excluding taxes in four instalments on receipt of invoices. Fastway claimed it fulfilled all obligations on its part under the agreement.

However, Sai Prasad Media failed to make payments to the petitioner for  placement/carriage charges. It has also been stated that invoices towards payment of placement charges/carriage fee in accordance with the agreement were raised but only part payments were made in violation of terms of the agreement. It has been further submitted that partial payment/non-payment of invoiced amounts resulted in an outstanding dues of Rs 35,88,008. 

Reminders to the broadcaster went unheeded, and it also failed to appear before the Tribunal to defend its case.  

Chairperson Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava In the directive on 25 May 2016 also directed for examination of the witness of the petitioner by an advocate commissioner, before examining all the documents and coming to the conclusion that the petitioner had fulfilled all its obligations.