Broadcast regulator Trai today filed a case seeking prosecution of sports broadcaster ESPN for non-compliance of its direction on pricing plan for Direct-To-Home operators.
"We have filed a case against ESPN Software Indian Limited before the CJM court today for non-compliance of directions issued by us to the sports broadcaster", Trai chairman Nripendra Misra said.
He said TRAI does not have the power to penalise, but it can file a case to prosecute the offenders before any court of the country. "So, we have decided to prosecute the broadcaster before the civil court," he said, adding that the regulator has also written to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry for revoking the registration of its three channels.
ESPN's channels include Star Sports and Star Cricket in India and very soon it is set to telecast the Champions' Trophy, the English and Spanish domestic football leagues and the US Open (Tennis).
Misra said Trai had earlier warned ESPN and issued a show-cause notice against the company.
The regulator had asked ESPN as to why a complaint should not be filed before the court as the broadcaster had failed to adhere to Trai regulations.
Trai has said that it had decided to take stringent steps against ESPN as the broadcaster in its reply had failed to 'give satisfactory answers'.
When contacted, R C Venkateish, MD, ESPN Software India Private Limited said, "We are surprised to read the statements purportedly attributed to senior officials of Trai. We have given our detailed response to Trai explaining our position that we have complied with what was required by the Trai in letter and spirit."