Supreme Court dismisses PIL seeking regulation of internet prices

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking regulation of internet prices in the country, but gave liberty to the petitioner to seek alternative statutory remedies.

A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna rejected the plea filed by one Rajat, saying consumers have multiple options for availing internet services. "It's a free market and there is local area network, you get wired internet, BSNL and MTNL is also giving internet.”

The petitioner, who was arguing in person, told the bench that while other options may be available, the majority of the market chunk is currently with Reliance Jio. "They are giving, but see the market ... 80% of the market share is with Jio (Reliance)."


The CJI, however, interjected, saying: "No please, then go to the Competition Commission of India …", if the petitioner is alleging cartelisation.

The petitioner had also made the Department of Telecommunication, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel as the respondents in his petition.

While dismissing the petition, the CJI said that “we are not inclined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. 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."