PIL admitted on Internet rights for cricket matches

By Our Correspondent

BANGALORE, JUNE 12. The Chief Justice, Mr. P.V. Reddi, and Mr. Justice N.K. Patil, constituting a Division Bench in the High Court of Karnataka, on Tuesday admitted a public interest litigation petition filed by Mr. Sripathi Rao of Bangalore, praying for a direction to Prasar Bharti not to permit any person to exploit Internet rights pertaining to cricket matches in India without inviting tender or without holding public auction.

The petitioner has filed the PIL to prevent loss of revenue to the Prasar Bharti to the tune of Rs. 650 crores. He submitted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India entered into an agreement with the Prasar Bharti on September 25, 1999, under which the latter had acquired rights to telecast matches for five years from October 1, 1999.

He said M/s. Budha Films Private Ltd. offered the highest bid of Rs. 450 crores for obtaining telecast rights. Doordarshan had retained Internet rights and instead of accepting the offer, had entered into an agreement with TWI/Stratcom India Limited to sell the rights at Rs. 650 crores, causing loss to the Prasar Bharti.

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Section  : National
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