Telecommunication network distinct from property on which it is installed
Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 deals with telecommunication network distinct from property on which it is installed. A facility provider shall not have any right, title or interest in the property on which telecommunication network is established, except the right to use the property as provided under section 11 or section 12. The Act was enacted on 24 Dec 2023.
(1) A facility provider shall not have any right, title or interest in the property on which telecommunication network is established, except the right to use the property as provided under section 11 or section 12.
(2) The telecommunication network installed on any property, shall not be subject to any claims, encumbrances, liquidation or the like, relating to such property.
(3) The telecommunication network installed on any property, shall not be considered as part of such property, including for the purposes of any transaction related to that property, or any property tax, levy, cess, fees or duties as may be applicable on that property.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no public entity, except with the permission of an officer authorised by the Central Government for this purpose, shall have the authority to take any coercive action, such as sealing, preventing access, or forcible shutdown of the telecommunication network established by an authorised enttity, except where such actions may be necessary to deal with any natural disaster or public emergency.
Section 14, The Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Act 44 of 2023).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Indus Towers Ltd. & Anr. v. Gram Panchayat, Tanang & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Section 14(4) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 bars public entities from coercive action (sealing, preventing access, or forcible shutdown) against an authorised telecommunication network except with Central Government permission or for natural disaster/public emergency. A Gram Sabha/Panchayat resolution revoking tower NOC on radiation/fear grounds, absent such exceptions, is without authority and liable to be quashed.
On this section: Directly applies s.14(4)’s non-obstante bar on local coercive shutdown of telecom networks established by authorised entities.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 14
What have the courts held on Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act?
Indus Towers Ltd. & Anr. v. Gram Panchayat, Tanang & Ors. (06 Jun 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Directly applies s.14(4)’s non-obstante bar on local coercive shutdown of telecom networks established by authorised entities.
How do I find court cases under Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Telecommunications Act 2023 14, section 14 Telecommunications Act 2023, section 14 of the Telecommunications Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Indus Towers Ltd. & Anr. v. Gram Panchayat, Tanang & Ors. (06 Jun 2025).
What should I read with Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 11 (Right of way for telecommunication network in public property), section 12 (Right of way for telecommunication network on property not covered under section 11), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 (2024).
When was Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act enacted?
Section 14 of the Telecommunications Act, cited as Telecommunications Act 2023 14, was enacted on 24 Dec 2023 as Act 44 of 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 56. Power of Central Government to make rules1016 words
- 59. Amendment to Act 24 of 1997827 words
- 2. Definitions497 words
- 42. General provisions relating to offences476 words
- 3. Authorisation452 words
- 20. Provisions for public emergency or public safety390 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.