The High Court has denied interim relief to internet service providers (ISPs) in a legal battle involving cable-cutting incidents. The ISPs sought the court’s intervention to prevent unauthorized cutting of their cables, which has disrupted services to numerous consumers. The judgment was delivered on February 25, 2025, with the court stating that the ISPs‘ request for interim relief lacked sufficient evidence to justify a court order at this stage.
The case will proceed to a full hearing to explore the issues in greater detail, focusing on the accountability for the cable cuts and the legal liabilities of the parties involved. The decision has significant implications for internet service providers operating in the region, as uninterrupted service is critical to their operations and customer satisfaction. Further developments are anticipated as the case moves forward.
Goa faced widespread broadband internet disruption on Tuesday as the electricity department began cutting fibre cables of service providers, citing safety concerns, lack of permission, and non-payment of licence fees. This action impacted major private players like Airtel, Jio, and Ethernet Express. The affected broadband internet users included hospitals, government offices such as the state police headquarters and state transport department, educational and business institutions, among others.
The Goa Electricity Department also disrupted services by cutting cables connecting the central node of the government-run Goa Broadband Network, which establishes connectivity from Panjim to all districts. We have cut the cables from 43 poles,” said Goa Electricity Department executive engineer Kashinath Shetye. “Our plan is to clear the poles across Goa, we will do it little by little.
They have not paid their dues. This issue has been going on for the last few years. We issued them notices; we asked for the money to be paid.
Till date, not a single paisa has been recovered.”
The drive was initiated after the All Goa Internet Service Providers Association approached the Bombay High Court at Goa against the department’s actions. Despite being given a date to argue their case, the court denied their request to halt the cutting until then. The department alleged that the fibre optic cables were illegally installed on electricity poles without prior permission and disregarded safety protocols.
“There were new rules which came into force in 2024. Under these rules, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are supposed to apply to the competent authority for permission to install these cables.
High Court rules against ISPs
So far, they have not applied, which is their problem,” said the state’s advocate general, Devidas Pangam. “The second problem they face is that they did not have any permission from the competent authority prior to 2024 to install these lines, and they have not paid licence fees to any authorities,” Pangam added. The court has allowed the ISPs to make a representation to the appropriate authority to address their grievances.
Mervin Britto, president of The All Goa Internet Service Providers Association, stated that ISPs are willing to comply with the rules if there is clarity on the fees and compliance requirements. “All we are asking for is a moratorium on the cutting while it is in court. We will follow your rules.
At the end of the day, the only one that is suffering is the end customer that is paying the bills,” Britto said. “We have the permissions. We are paying AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue), we are paying GST (Goods and Services Tax).
We are also OK with paying pole rental. People are coming and giving vague figures for pole rental, which is absolutely not right. All stakeholders should sit across and conclude amicably so that people can continue receiving essential services without disruption,” he added.
The High Court has postponed the hearing of the ‘cables on electric pole’ case to March 18. The petition was filed by the All Goa Internet Service Providers Association (AGISPA) seeking the court’s intervention in stopping the Electricity Department from cutting cables on electric poles. As the court has not granted any interim relief to the operators, the Electricity Department will continue cutting the cables.
The department informed the court that despite issuing notices and imposing fines, operators have not taken any proactive steps to comply with regulations. AGISPA has requested the department not to cut the cables and interrupt services to countless customers, arguing that the matter is still under judicial review. They have expressed their willingness to follow the guidelines and pay the necessary fees but require more time to do so.
The issue originates from the Electricity Department’s initiative to remove cable TV and internet cables that are improperly installed on electric poles. The department has demanded operators color-code their cables for identification, use underground ducts where feasible, and pay fees for utilizing the poles. The new hearing date is set for March 18, where further deliberations on the matter will continue.
Image Credits: Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
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