Telangana High Court Chief Justice Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh has stressed the need for timely and expert resolution of disputes in technically complex sectors such as telecommunications, broadcasting, airport tariffs and cyber technology.
Speaking at a seminar on dispute-resolution mechanisms in these sectors, Justice Singh highlighted the importance of specialised tribunals in handling complex regulatory matters. He noted that the telecom sector's dispute-resolution framework evolved following liberalisation and the entry of private players, leading to the establishment of TRAI in 1997 and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in 2000.
He said TDSAT's jurisdiction was subsequently expanded to cover areas including broadcasting, cable services and airport tariff disputes. At the same time, specialised adjudication must remain subject to judicial review and the rule of law, he stressed.
TDSAT Chairperson Justice D.N. Patel, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, said the tribunal plays an important role in providing specialised and time-bound remedies. He also explained the mechanism for handling cyber disputes under the Information Technology Act.
According to Justice Patel, compensation claims of up to ₹5 crore are initially handled by designated adjudicating officers, while TDSAT hears appeals against their decisions. Claims above ₹5 crore fall outside their jurisdiction and are dealt with by competent civil courts.
He also called for greater awareness among police officials, tax authorities, regulators, lawyers and other stakeholders about the available dispute-resolution mechanisms. Mediation and voluntary settlements, he said, can also play an important role in resolving specialised disputes efficiently.
