'It's A Free Market' : Supreme Court Rejects PIL Seeking Regulation Of Internet Prices

The Supreme Court today (February 24) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking regulation of internet prices. The Court granted liberty to the petitioner to seek alternative statutory remedies. 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing the PIL filed by petitioner-in-person, Rajat. 

At the outset the CJI pointed out that consumers have multiple options for availing internet services, he explained:   "It's a free market, you get LAN, you get wired internet, there is other internet, BSNL and MTNL is also giving you internet." 

The petitioner underlined that while other options may be available, the majority of the market chunk is presently with Jio, Reliance. 

"They are giving, but see the market share your lordship- 80% of the market share is with Jio (Reliance)."  He said 

The CJI however interjected, saying:  "No please, then go to the Competition Commission of India .." 

The bench while dismissing the petition, proceeded to pass the following order : 

"We are not inclined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, petition is dismissed. We however clarify that in case the petitioner wants to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy he is at liberty to do so , we make no comments in this regard."

Case Details : RAJAT vs. UNION OF INDIA| W.P.(C) No. 000136 / 2025 

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