CAS must in Mumbai, Kolkatta, Delhi by Dec 12: Delhi HC

In a petition filed by a group of Multi System Operators (MSO), Delhi High Court in its order of March 10, 2006 through a single Judge Bench directed that Conditional Access System (CAS) be implemented within four weeks in the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

An appeal was filed before the Division Bench of Delhi High Court by Union of India seeking extension of time for implementation.

The Division Bench passed an order on July 20, 2006 directing implementation of CAS with effect from December 12, 2006.

Accordingly, the Government of India notified that CAS in certain notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata will be implemented with effect from December 2006. The Government of Maharashtra has appointed SV Mohite, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Enforcement, Crime Branch, Mumbai as Nodal Officer for implementation of CAS in the notified area.

After the implementation of CAS, the television network will be divided into four layers i.e. broadcasters, Multi System Operators, local cable operators and subscribers. Channels are divided into two parts; namely pay channels and free to air channels. For this purpose, set top boxes are mandatory. Set top boxes will be provided by MSOs.