The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday issues notices to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and telecom operators seeking explanation on increase in charges for SMSs during festival seasons.

This court was hearing a petition by one Arunachalam alias Arun which said that during the festival seasons the service providers increase the charges of SMSs without prior information causing inconvenience to the subscribers. He demanded that through this practice they are fleecing the subscribers.

A division bench comprising justices S. Rajeswaran and S.Vimala ordered issue of notices to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and 10 telecom firms and adjourned the case for January 21.

The petitioner demanded an interim stay on the hike in SMS charges by service providers which the court refused.

Arun said that during festive seasons the flow of use of SMS increases  manifold and service providers take undue advantage of this. “This creates a big hole in the common man's pocket. It even makes him hesitate to send greetings through SMS," said Arun.