{"id":4747,"date":"2025-02-12T18:52:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T13:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/?p=4747"},"modified":"2025-03-12T01:30:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T20:00:03","slug":"zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/constitutional-law\/zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"Zee Telefilms Ltd. &#038; Anr VS Union of India &#038; Ors 2004 (Case Summary)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4747\" class=\"elementor elementor-4747\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ed394ef elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no\" data-id=\"3ed394ef\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53825c43\" data-id=\"53825c43\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5309c329 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no\" data-id=\"5309c329\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-aeb7196\" data-id=\"aeb7196\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-400c561 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"400c561\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zee Telefilms Ltd. &amp; Anr VS Union of India &amp; Ors 2004 (Case Summary)<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68e6afbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"68e6afbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1312\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-4752\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw.jpeg 1312w, https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw-1024x574.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/a-photograph-of-a-courtroom-with-a-judge_h3vwym3SRZmy7ZEiVaRJGA_HK9BnzTlRdiL3NwFU23Baw-768x431.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1312px) 100vw, 1312px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12ca1c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12ca1c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The case of Zee Telefilms Ltd. v. Union of India addressed whether the BCCI qualifies as a \u2018State\u2019 under Article 12 of the Constitution, impacting judicial review of its actions and fundamental rights enforcement.<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/constitutional-law\/zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary\/#Facts_of_Zee_Telefilms_Ltd_Anr_Vs_Union_of_India\" >Facts of Zee Telefilms Ltd. &amp; Anr Vs Union of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/constitutional-law\/zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary\/#Issues_framed\" >Issues framed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/constitutional-law\/zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary\/#Judgment_of_Zee_Telefilms_Ltd_Anr_Vs_Union_of_India\" >Judgment of Zee Telefilms Ltd. &amp; Anr Vs Union of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/constitutional-law\/zee-telefilms-ltd-anr-vs-union-of-india-ors-2004-case-summary\/#Read_the_Judgment_Below\" >Read the Judgment Below<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Facts_of_Zee_Telefilms_Ltd_Anr_Vs_Union_of_India\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><b>Facts of <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><b>Zee Telefilms Ltd. &amp; Anr Vs Union of India<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The BCCI, registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, initiated a tender process to award exclusive broadcast rights for four years.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;\">Zee Telefilms Ltd. and ESPN Star Sports (ESS) participated in this tender process.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following negotiations, the BCCI decided to accept Zee Telefilms&#8217; offer, and Zee Telefilms deposited a significant sum as per the agreement.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ESS filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, challenging the BCCI&#8217;s decision.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the proceedings in the Bombay High Court, the BCCI stated its intent to cancel the entire tender process, citing the lack of a formally issued letter of intent.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the BCCI terminated its contract with Zee Telefilms.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zee Telefilms, subsequently, filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution challenging the BCCI&#8217;s action of terminating the contract. They argued that the termination was arbitrary and violated Article 14 of the Constitution of India.<\/span><\/li><\/ol><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Issues_framed\"><\/span><b style=\"color: #993300; font-size: 27.2px; font-style: inherit;\">Issues framed<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is a &#8216;State&#8217; under Article 12 of the Indian Constitution, hence it is maintainable or not?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether the action of the BCCI amounts to a violation of the fundamental right to equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution?<\/span><\/li><\/ol><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Judgment_of_Zee_Telefilms_Ltd_Anr_Vs_Union_of_India\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><b>Judgment of Zee Telefilms Ltd. &amp; Anr Vs Union of India<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court\u2019s analysis focused on interpreting Article 12 of the Constitution, which defines &#8220;State&#8221; to include various entities such as the government and its instrumentalities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0The Court applied the principles from Pradeep Kumar Biswas v. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (2002) to determine whether the BCCI qualifies as a &#8216;State&#8217; under Article 12 of the Constitution. It noted that the BCCI was not created by a statute but registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. Hence, it was a non-statutory body. The Board does not receive financial assistance from the government, nor does the government hold any share capital in it, making the BCCI an autonomous, self-funded organization. While the BCCI enjoys a monopoly in Indian cricket, this monopoly is not conferred or protected by the State but arises from recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court found that there is no deep or pervasive government control over the BCCI; the regulatory oversight by the government is limited and applies to other private bodies as well, which does not amount to state control. The court relied on Pradeep Kumar Biswas to explain that only \u201cpervasive control,\u201d which means that the government\u2019s control is \u201cspread throughout\u201d and affects all aspects of the organization\u2019s functioning, is sufficient to make a private body a \u2018State\u2019. Thus, the regulatory oversight by the government is not sufficient ground to conclude BCCI as a State.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The court, while acknowledging the fact that the BCCI performs public functions like organizing international matches and selecting the national team, these are not governmental functions, and public functions alone do not make an entity a &#8216;State.&#8217; Furthermore, the BCCI was not created through the transfer of any government corporation, reinforcing its independent nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court concluded that the BCCI is neither financially, functionally, nor administratively controlled by the government. The limited regulatory control exercised by the government is insufficient to classify the BCCI as a \u2018State\u2019 under Article 12. Since the BCCI does not fall under Article 12, there arises no question of violating Article 14. Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed as non-maintainable.<br \/><\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_Judgment_Below\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Read the Judgment Below<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07a9509 elementor-widget elementor-widget-pdfjs-viewer\" data-id=\"07a9509\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"pdfjs-viewer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe width=\"\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdfjs-viewer-for-elementor\/\/assets\/js\/pdfjs\/web\/viewer.html?file=https:\/\/fawyerz.in\/judgments\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zee-Telefilms-Ltd.-Anr-vs-Union-Of-India-Ors-1.pdf\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The case addressed whether the BCCI qualifies as a \u2018State\u2019 under Article 12 of the Constitution, impacting judicial review of its actions and fundamental rights enforcement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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