Cell phone tower fee verdict today

The Delhi High Court will on Monday pronounce its judgment on a petition by the Cellular Operators’ Association of India, challenging the “steep” hike in fee affected by the MCD for installation of cell towers.

The Delhi High Court will on Monday pronounce its judgment on a petition by the Cellular Operators’ Association of India, challenging the “steep” hike in fee affected by the MCD for installation of cell towers.

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They have also sought a permanent direction to the civic body to stop sealing of these towers. Cell phone tower operators now enjoy temporary relief, with the court ordering a stay on the sealing. Justice Kailash Gambhir who has been hearing both sides since the past two weeks will deliver the verdict at 2 pm.

The Association opposed the hike in fee from Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh, submitting that it was arbitrary and irrational as the operators had not been provided any new facility.

The MCD had begun the sealing from May 12 after the deadline for operators to apply for regularisation by paying the hike installation expired on May 7. MCD says that out of 5,364 towers in the city, only 2,412 have requisite permission.

On May 25 when Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the MCD it was ready to lower the fee, it expressed its inability to revise it.