While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court has allowed Airtel to withdraw the petition and approach the appropriate forum.
New Delhi:
Bharti Airtel has got temporary relief from the Supreme Court in the AGR dues case of Videocon Telecommunications. Videocon Telecommunications owes Bharti Airtel an AGR of 1376 crores, which was heard in the Supreme Court on August 24. The court on Tuesday ordered the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) not to proceed with forfeiture of bank guarantees for three weeks for recovery of dues. Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court has allowed Airtel to withdraw the petition and approach the appropriate forum. A bench of Justice L Nageswara Rao allowed Bharti Airtel to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for relief, after which Airtel withdrew the petition from the Supreme Court.
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During the hearing, the Supreme Court said that we will not change the earlier decision. You want us to amend our September 2020 order seeking buyer to seller. It is noteworthy that Videocon Telecommunications (DOT) owes AGR of 1376 crores. Airtel had entered into an agreement with Videocon to use the spectrum in 2016, after which DoT has issued a notice to Airtel to pay Videocon’s dues AGR. Shyam Divan, on behalf of Bharti Airtel, said, “We have received a notice on August 17, stating that we will have to pay and if we fail to do so, there is a danger of invoking various bank guarantees.”
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Dewan said, “As per the order of the court, 18 thousand 4 crore has been paid by Airtel. The total outstanding is 45 thousand 356 crores. Now ten percent has to be deposited by next March, which will be 45 thousand 35 crores. It is not in dispute, dues will be paid. There is a dues which is due to Videocon Telecommunications and has nothing to do with Airtel. A special spectrum has been traded for us by Videocon. This is an earlier due, the responsibility of paying it lies with Videocon, Airtel does not have the responsibility.
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He said that the government owes Rs 1376 crore AGR on Videocon. DoT has demanded payment from Bharti Airtel on the dues of Videocon. Bharti Airtel had spectrum agreement with Videocon, so DoT wants Bharti Airtel to pay Videocon dues. Bharti Airtel has moved the Supreme Court by filing a petition against encashment of bank guarantees in respect of Videocon dues and others.