New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (February 24) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking regulation of internet prices in the country, saying it is a free market and there are several options available to consumers for availing of internet services.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while dismissing the petition granted liberty to the petitioner to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy, if he wanted to do so.
It’s a free market, there are several options available: Apex Court
“It’s a free market. There are several options. BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) and MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) are also giving you Internet,” the bench said while taking note of presence of several private internet service providers as well as the state-owned BSNL and MTNL.
The petitioner alleged that while there were several options available before consumers, the majority of the market share in the country was controlled by Jio and Reliance.
What did the petitioner argue?
“They are providing services, but 80% of the market share is with Jio and Reliance,” the petitioner stated while arguing for a need to standardise internet costs across service providers.
“If you are alleging cartelisation, then go to the Competition Commission of India, “CJI Khanna told the petitioner.
Petitioner at liberty if he wants to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy: Apex Court
The bench dismissed the PIL and clarified that the petitioner was at liberty if he wants to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy.
“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, petition and the same is dismissed. We, however, clarify that in case the petitioner wants to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy, he is at liberty to do so, we make no comments in this regard,” the bench said while dismissing the PIL.
