MUMBAI: Ever since the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) bowled its bouncer at the cable fraternity recommending the 10 July 2003 notification on conditional access in the country be either denotified or kept in abeyance for a period of three months, the industry has been expecting a legal challenge to the edict.

Well the Delhi High Court admitted a petition today, not challenging the Trai order, but the authority of Trai itself to adjudicate over the broadcast industry.

The High Court issued notices to the Centre, Trai and Star India Ptv Ltd (one might ask why the country's lead broadcaster has been dragged into this) on a petition challenging the 9 January notification bringing broadcast and cable services under the jurisdiction of Trai. The petition was filed by Saisagar Cable Network, an obscure operator in Maharashtra's Manmad town.

Delhi High Court Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul has asked the respondents to file their replies by 3 March, the next date of hearing.