Kerala High Court
Deepthi M vs Union Of India on 29 March, 2019
Author: Anu Sivaraman
Bench: Anu Sivaraman
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN
FRIDAY ,THE 29TH DAY OF MARCH 2019 / 8TH CHAITHRA, 1941
WP(C).No. 42465 of 2018
PETITIONERS:
1 DEEPTHI M.
AGED 52 YEARS
W/O SURESH KUMAR.K.K, CABLE TV OPERATOR,
MALABAR VISION , FIRST FLOOR, THALIKKARA
KUTTIADI VADAKARA, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, RESIDING
AT DARSANA, KATHIROOR, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT.
2 SURESH KUMAR.K.K
AGED 59 YEARS
CABLE T.V.OPERATOR, M/S MEDIA VISION CABLE TV
NETWORK, KANGATT COMPLEX, PERINGATHOOR.P.O,
THALASSERI, KANNUR DISTRICT.
3 BABU.K
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S. HARIPRIYA CABLE TV
NETWORK, PUTHOOR.P.O, KAIVELIKKAL, THALASSERI,
KANNUR DISTRICT.
4 SATHEESHAN.K
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S. HIGHNESS DIGITAL
NETWORK, KUNNOTHPARAMBA, CHERUPARAMBA.P.O,
THALASSERI, KANNUR DISTRICT.
5 SAJEEVAN.M
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SKY LINE CABLE NETWORK,
CHERUVANCHERY P.O, THALASSERI, KANNUR DISTRICT.
6 SIMSON.K.C
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DIGITAL CABLE NETWORK, MLA
ROAD, KOVOOR, 30/2186 D, MORA BAZAR,
CHEVAYUR.P.O, CALICUT-673 017.
7 M.SHAJAHAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S STAR VISION CABLE TV,
PAZHAYANNUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
8 PRAMOD.R.VADAKKETHIL
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S COLOUR VISION CABLE TV
NETWORK, PAZHAYANNUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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9 SHANAVAS.M
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S.NCS CABLE NETWORK,
PAZHAYANNUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
10 ABDUL RAFEEQ.V.K
CABLE T.V. OPERATOR, M/S STAR VISION CABLE TV
NETWORK, PAZHAYANNUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
11 RAJESH.K.S
CABLE T.V. OPERATOR, M/S R.R. CABLE VISION,
ELANAD.P.O, CHELAKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
12 DEVASI.M.C
CABLE T.V. OPERATOR, M/S M.C NETWORK,
VALKULAMBU, ALATHUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
13 ABDUL RAHIMAN.P.S
CABLE T.V. OPERATOR, M/S FIRDOUS CABLE VISION,
THACHANADI, PUDUKODE, ALATHUR, PALAKKAD
DISTRICT.
14 P.T. OUSEPH
CABLE TV OPERATOR, NEW VISION NETWORK, TOLANUR,
ROOM NO.23/348, ALATHUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
15 DIVYA SANTHOSH
CABLE TV OPERATOR, RISHON CABLE NETWORK, ROOM
NO.5/248, TOLANUR, ALATHUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
16 ANNAMMA
CABLE TV OPERATOR, M/S.J.M. NETWORK, EDAKODE,
OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
17 ISMAIL.K
CABLE TV OPERATOR, GOLDEN EYE CABLE TV NETWORK,
AKALUR, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
18 SUNITHA.M
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SKY POWER VISION,
MANAKKALPADI, CHUNANGAD, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD
DISTRICT.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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19 MUHAMMED AMEEN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SKY POWER CABLE NETWORK,
NELLIKURISSI, CHUNANGAD-679 511, OTTAPPALAM,
PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
20 GOPI GOPIKAS
CABLE TV OPERATOR, RIGHT VISION COMMUNICATIONS,
CHELAKKARA, PAZHAYANNUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
21 SANTHOSH
CABLE TV OPERATOR, ADN NETWORK, SHORNUR,
PALAKKAD DISTRICT.
22 SHILJITH
CABLE TV OPERATOR, STAR COMMUNICATIONS,
BLDG.NO.312, IST FLOOR, PAYYOLI, KOZHIKODE
DISTRICT-673 521
23 MOHANDAS.V
CABLE TV OPERATOR, REVATHI CABLE NETWORK, UK
BUILDING, KAVUNGAL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676
505.
24 SURESH.K
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DIVYA CABLE NETWORK,
MUNDUPARAMBA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676 509
25 NANDANA DASAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, GAZAL CABLE, ELAVUR, ANNEX-
850U272, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
26 MUSTHAFA
CABLE TV OPERATOR, ARIMBRA CABLE TV NETWORK,
ARIMBRA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
27 BALACHANDRAN.P
CABLE TV OPERATOR, CABLE VISION NETWORK,
MANKADA-679 324, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
28 KUNJUMUHAMMED
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DARSAN CABLE VISION,
MANKADA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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29 MURALEEDHARAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DREAMS CABLE TV NETWORK,
KONDOTTY, ANNEX 850U467, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
30 THOUSIF JAMAL.N.M
CABLE TV OPERATOR, WORLD STAR CABLE TV PULLARA,
VALLUVAMBRAM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. 673 642.
31 RAMDAS.V
CABLE TV OPERATOR, ROHINI NETWORK, KARUVA,
KEERANKUNDU, CHERUKULAMBA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-
676 505.
32 VINODKUMAR.R
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SREE GANAPATHY CABLE TV AND
BROAD BAND SERVICE, CHANTHAKKADA, ANNEX-
850W120, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
33 SAJITH.U
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SAT VISION CABLE NETWORK,
VELLAPPALLY BUILDING, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD
DISTRICT.
34 ABDUL SALAM
CABLE TV OPERATOR, LIFELINE CALE NETWORK,
OTHUKKUNGAL, TIRUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
35 ABDULLA AMBALANGADAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SAT VISION CABLE TV NETWORK,
CALICUT AIRPORT.
36 SREELESH
CABLE TV OPERATOR, ASIAN VISION NETWORK,
KULAPARAMBATH HOUSE, KEEZHEL, VADAKARA,
KOZHIKODE DISTRICT-673 104.
37 MUJEEB RAHMAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SOYUZ CABLE NETWORK,
IRUMBUZHI, VADAKKUMURI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
38 SASINDRAN.P.P
CABLE TV OPERATOR, CHANNEL VISION
COMMUNICATION, KOYILANDI, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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39 SANTHOSH.C
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DREAM WORLD NETWORK,
MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
40 VASU.E
CABLE TV OPERATOR, INSIGHT CABLE TV NETWORK,
VILAYIL,ANNEX-850U276, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM
DISTRICT.
41 MOHANDAS.T.P
CABLE T.V OPERATOR, GAZAL CABLE VISION,
AREACODE, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.
42 BIJUMON.M.P
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DRISHYA CABLE NETWORK,
KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
43 BALACHANDRAN
CABLE TV OPERATOR, DRISHYA CABLE NETWORK,
KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR DISTRICT.
44 AHAMMED ZAKKIR
SAT VISION CABLE NETWORK, KONDOTTY, KOZHIKODE
DISTRICT.
45 PADMA KUMAR
CABLE TV OPERATOR, PISCELS BROAD BAND SERVICE,
CHATHANNUR, KOLLAM DISTRICT.
46 K.MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI
CABLE TV OPERATOR, MASS CABLE VISION, KOLLAM
DISTRICT.
47 MINU.D
CABLE TV OPERATOR, KALLYANI INTERNET CABLE,
CHATHANNUR .P.O, KOLLAM DISTRICT.
48 JOYSON.M
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SHALOM CABLES,
CHATHANNUR.P.O, KOLLAM DISTRICT.
49 BINU.C
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SKY VISION CABLE NETWORKS,
PALAYAMKUNNU, ATTINGAL, TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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50 RATHEESH.J
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SREE GURUDEV COMMUNICATIONS,
ATTINGAL , TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT.
51 SATHEESH KUMAR.A.H
CABLE TV OPERATOR, SS CABLE NETWORK, ATTINGAL,
TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT.
BY ADVS.
SRI.ANOOP.V.NAIR
SRI.M.S.SANDEEP SUDHAKARAN
RESPONDENTS:
1 UNION OF INDIA
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING ROOM NO.560A-WING,
SASTHRI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-110 002.
2 THE TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA(TRAI)
MAHANAGAR, DOOR SANCHAR BHAVAN, JAWAHARLAL
NEHRU MARG, NEW DELHI-110 002
3 THE STATEOF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
REVENUE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.
4 THE MEDIA SUBSCRIBERS ASSOCIATION OF
INDIA(MSAI)
2ND FLOOR, KALLIYATH ROYAL SQUARE, ROOM NO.25,
PALACE ROAD, THRISSUR-680 020, REPRESENTED BY
ITS CHAIRPERSON ADV.JAYANTHI SURENDRAN.
5 ASIANET SATALITE COMMUNICATIONS LTD
REGISTERED OFFICE 2A, 2ND FLOOR, LEELA INFORK,
TECHNOPARK, KAZHAKKOOTTOM, KARYAVATTOM.P.O,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 581.
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
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6 ASIANET DIGITAL NETWORK PVT.LTD.
REGISTERED AND CORPORATE OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR,
LEELA INFOR PARK, TECHNO PARK, KAZHAKKOOTTOM,
KARYAVATTOM.P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 581,
REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
BY ADVS.
SRI.KRISHNADAS P.NAIR, CGC
SMT.MARIAM MATHAI
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
13.03.2019, THE COURT ON 29.3.2019 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
W.P.(C).No.42465/18
8
JUDGMENT
1. This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:-
"i)Issue a writ of certiorari, such other writ, order or direction setting aside the following provisions in Ext.P53 (the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Inter Connection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017.
1. the Second Proviso to Regulation 8(3)
2. the Proviso to Regulation 8(7)
3. Clause 11 in "Standard Interconnection Agreement" in Schedule VI
4. the ratio of 55:45 specified in Clause 12.1 in "Standard Interconnection Agreement" in Schedule VI.
ii)Declare that following provisions in Ext.P53 (the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Inter Connection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 are illegal, void and unconstitutional.
1. the Second Proviso to Regulation 8(3)
2. the Proviso to Regulation 8(7)
3. Clause 11 in "Standard Interconnection Agreement" in Schedule VI
4. the ratio of 55:45 specified in Clause 12.1 in "Standard Interconnection Agreement" in Schedule VI.
iii)direct the 5th and 6th respondents to strictly follow the terms and conditions stipulated in Ext.P56 agreement formulated by TRAI."
W.P.(C).No.42465/18 92. The issue raised is squarely covered by the judgment of this Court in W.P.(C).No.6681 of 2018. In the above case this Court has held that the decisions of the Apex Court would cover the issue and that any dispute with regard to revenue sharing would constitute a dispute between two service providers which would be liable to be raised and considered before the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal in terms of Section 14 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
The writ petition is accordingly dismissed, leaving open the rights of the local cable operators to approach the appropriate authorities, in case there is further dispute with regard to the implementation of the Regulations.
Sd/-
Anu Sivaraman, Judge sj W.P.(C).No.42465/18 10 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE IST PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 2ND PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 3RD PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 4TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 5TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 6TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 6TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P8 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 7TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P9 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 8TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P10 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 9TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 10TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 11TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P13 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 12TH PETITIONER.W.P.(C).No.42465/18 11
EXHIBIT P14 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 13TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P15 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 14TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P16 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 15TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P17 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 16TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P18 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 17TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P19 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 18TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P20 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 19TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P21 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 20TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P22 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 21TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P23 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 22TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P24 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 23TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P25 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 24TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P26 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 25TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P27 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 26TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P28 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 27TH PETITIONER.W.P.(C).No.42465/18 12
EXHIBIT P29 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 28TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P30 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 29TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P31 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 30TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P32 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 31TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P33 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 32ND PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P34 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 33RD PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P35 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 34TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P36 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 35TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P37 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 36TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P38 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 37TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P39 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 38TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P40 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 39TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P41 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 40TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P42 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 41ST PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P43 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 42ND PETITIONER.W.P.(C).No.42465/18 13
EXHIBIT P44 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 43RD PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P45 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 44TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P46 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 45TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P47 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 46TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P48 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 47TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P49 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 48TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P50 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 49TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P51 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 50TH PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P52 TRUE COPY OF CABLE TV REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE 51ST PETITIONER.
EXHIBIT P53 TRUE COPY OF TELECOMMUNICATION (BROADCASTING AND CABLE)SERVICES INTER CONNECTION (ADDRESSABLE SYSTEMS) REGULATIONS, 2017(NO.1 OF 2017) DATED 03-03-2017.
EXHIBIT P54 TRUE COPY OF INTERIM ORDER OF THIS HONBLE COURT DATED 18-12-2018 IN WPC NO.41210/2018 EXHIBIT P55 TRUE COPY OF INTERIM ORDER IN WPC NO.6681/2018 PASSED BY THIS HOBLE COURT DATED 28-02-2018.
EXHIBIT P56 TRUE COPY OF AGREEMENT CIRCULATED BY TRAI AMONG THE MSOS TO GET IT SIGNED BETWEEN THE LCOS W.P.(C).No.42465/18 14 EXHIBIT P57 TRUE COPY OF PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY TRAI ON 18-12-2018.
EXHIBIT P58 TRUE COPY OF STANDARD INTER CONNECTION AGREEMENT ISSUED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT TO BE ENTERED UPON BETWEEN MSO AND LCO DATED 29/1/2019 EXHIBIT P59 TRUE COPY OF LIST OF CHANNELS SHOWING THE FREE CHANNELS AND THE PAY CHANNEL LIST EXHIBIT P60 TRUE COPY OF RELEVANT PAGES OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 27/5/2013 ISSUED BY TRAI.
EXHIBIT P61 TRUE COPY OF INTERIM ORDER PASSED BY THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF KOLKATTA IN WP 77(W) OF 2019+CAN 1002/2019 DATED 31/1/2019 EXHIBIT P62 TRUE COPY OF INFORMATION RELEASED TO THE PRESS EXTENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW REGULATIONS INTRODUCED BY TRAI EXHIBIT P63 TRUE COPY OF ASIANET RECOMMENDED PACKS FOR KERALA ISSUED BY THE RESPONDENTS 5 AND 6 EXHIBIT P64 TRUE COPY OF LIST PUBLISHED BY ASIANET SHOWING THE FREE TO AIR CHANNELS EXHIBIT P65 TRUE COPY OF ADVERTISEMENT GIVEN IN MALAYALA MANORAMA DAILY ON 5/2/2019 EXHIBIT P66 TRUE COPY OF PAPER PUBLICATION SHOWING THE DIRECTIONS OF TRAI DATED NIL.
EXHIBIT P67 TRUE COPY OF ORDER PASSED BY THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM DATED 20/2/2019 W.P.(C).No.42465/18 15 EXHIBIT P68 TRUE COPY OF ORDER PASSED BY THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ALAPPUZHA DATED 19/2/2019 EXHIBIT P69 TRUE COPY OF ORDER PASSED BY THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR DATED 15/2/2019 True copy PS to Judge