New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on September 5 issued notice to the Centre on a petition by Cable Networks Association (CNA) challenging the notification deferring implementation of Conditional Access System (CAS) in the capital.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A K Sikri directed government to reply by September 30.

Senior advocate Jayant Bhushan and Inder Bir Singh Alagh appearing for CNA contended that the government notification of September 1 was arbitrary as CAS has been implemented in other metros as per the July 10 notification.

While seeking implementation of CAS in the capital from September 1 as per the July 10 government notification, CNA has also sought quashing of the May 5 notification which fixed the charge for free-to-air channels at Rs 72 per subscriber per month.

CNA has said fixing of "unrealistic, arbitrary and discriminatory" charge of Rs 72 was against the principles of natural justice.

CNA had filed the petition following the government's decision to implement CAS in the capital after the Assembly elections on August 29 but the court had said that it would have been proper to hear the petition after the government comes out with the notification extending the date of implementation of CAS.

PTI