Supreme Court orders inquiry into missing caveat in IPRS dispute

The Supreme Court of India has ordered an inquiry by the Registrar (Listing) into why a caveat filed by the Indian Performing Rights Society Limited (IPRS) was not linked to a special leave petition filed by Hotel Apollo & Tours Private Limited.

The dispute stems from a Calcutta High Court injunction that prevented Apollo from broadcasting works belonging to IPRS members in hotel rooms. IPRS representatives alleged that Apollo deliberately failed to disclose that the High Court's final order was under challenge, an omission intended to bypass the lodged caveat.

Furthermore, IPRS contended that Apollo obtained an interim Supreme Court order based on the incorrect claim that its cable operator held a valid IPRS licence. A Bench comprising Justice K. V. Vishwanathan and Justice Arun Palli has directed Apollo to produce the licence in question. Justice Vishwanathan noted that Apollo could face serious consequences if it is determined that the previous interim order was obtained through incorrect statements.