Reliance Jio Towers Vandalism: HC Issues Notice to Punjab, Centre

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed a response from the Punjab Government and Centre by 8 February

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought urgent intervention of government authorities to stop vandalism of mobile towers amid the ongoing farmers’ protests against the new farm laws.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday, 5 January, directed a response from the Punjab Government and Centre by 8 February on a civil writ petition by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, seeking intervention and action for the 1,500 towers that were vandalised by ‘miscreants’.

The HC order was issued by Justice Sudhir Mittal and has sought a response from the respondents – Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Telecommunications and the Punjab Director General of Police by 8 February, reported NDTV.

The company has alleged that ‘miscreants’ who vandalised have been instigated by ‘vested interests and business rivals in a vilification campaign against Reliance’.

The towers were allegedly vandalised to disrupt mobile and internet network services of Reliance Jio, who farmers perceive to be benefitting from the new farm laws.

On Monday, Reliance Jio, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, submitted its plea through their counsel, advocate Aashish Mittal, in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It has sought urgent intervention of government authorities to stop the vandalism of mobile towers amid the ongoing farmers’ protests against the three new farm laws.

At least 1,500 mobile towers in Punjab, mostly affiliated to Reliance Jio, were vandalised over the past few weeks allegedly by farmers protesting the laws, leading to CM Amarinder Singh issuing a stern warning and ordering action against the culprits.

(With inputs from NDTV)