Delhi,
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has cancelled the licence of KAL Cable Pvt Limited which runs Sumangali Cable Vision(SCV), the Multi System Operator division of the Maran family-owned Sun Group, preventing it from operating in Chennai.

An order from the I&B ministry dated 20th August, 2014 which The News Minute is in possession of, says" The registration to operate as a Multi System Operator is being cancelled."

The order addressed to KAL Cable Pvt Limited which is a holding company that owns Sun Group"™s entire cable network including SCV says"The Ministry of Home Affairs has now denied security clearance to manufacturers KAL Cables Pvt Limited for registration as MSO"¦ In view of denial of security clearance by the MHA regular registration cannot be granted."The order goes on to say"Protection of the interest of consumers is one of the mandates of the ministry. Accordingly, considering the large subscriber base, MSO is given a period of 15 days time from the date of receipt of this cancellation order to wind up operations and switch off signal."

Subscribers of the SCV in Chennai are to be informed of the developments and asked to switch over to other operators via scroll running on the television screens.

Interestingly, the I&B ministry under UPA II government seems to have given a permanent registration to KAL Cable Network in June 2012 for a period of ten years, but with effect from 2006, in lieu of security clearance.

The Sun Group has approached the Madras High Court to file a petition for stay order against the cancellation. It told the court on Wednesday that the group was a victim of a change in the political regime.

The issue brought before Justice Ramasubramaniam of the Madras High Court has been adjourned until tomorrow.