TRAI should end problem of obscene messages being sent: HC

Observing that harassment of cellphone users by sending obscene messages without their consent is a matter of common agony, Madras High Court has said it is high time the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) put an end to the problem.

Justice Chitra Venkataraman passed the order, disposing off a petition by one V S Suresh.

Suresh submitted he was using a private service provider more than two years back, while he received obscene messages without his consent. Though he filed a complaint, the messages continued and money was also deducted from his account.

He said he moved a local court after police took no action on his complaint.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court had directed police to register his complaint following which an FIR was filed in January last year.

Suresh said police had taken his mobile phone for investigation but not returned it yet. His petition before the court seeking a direction to the authorities to return the instrument was also pending, he said.

In 2011, he sent representations twice to Chairman, TRAI and Telecommunications Secretary to take action against the service provider, but neither a reply nor action was taken. Hence, the present writ petition.

"Considering the nature of the complaint made, which is a matter of common agony for even those who may not be petitioners before this court, this court feels that it is time that the first respondent (TRAI) looks into the grievance of the petitioner and put an end to the harassment sent through messages, immediately," the judge said.

She also directed Suresh to give a copy of the representation to the service provider, which should look into his grievance and do the needful.

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