The Delhi high court on Wednesday directed the Centre to explain the reasons behind deferring the implementation of conditional access system in the capital even as the government maintained that the decision was taken to ensure that a consumer-friendly initiative did not become a casualty of competing political interests.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A K Sikri while hearing a bunch of petitions seeking implementation of CAS in the city said they want to see the government files.

The petitioners including Zee promoted Siti Cable Network, Cable Network Association and others have challenged the Centre's August 29 notification deferring indefinitely the implementation of CAS in the capital from September 1 contending that it was unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and contrary to public interest.

Senior advocate A S Chandioke, appearing for the petitioners alleged that CAS has been deferred in the capital for political reasons undermining the public interest.