Supreme Court Slams Telecom Companies, DoT Over Non-Compliance of AGR Verdict

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors of India’s telecom companies to explain why contempt action should be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M.R. Shah also expressed anguish over the order passed by DoT’s desk officer staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter.

“We don’t know who is creating this nonsense. Is there no law left in the country… It is better not to live in this country and rather leave the country,” the bench observed.

The top court in particular slammed a DoT desk officer who wrote a letter to the Attorney General and other constitutional authorities saying they should not insist on payment of money by telcos and others and to ensure that no coercive action is taken against them.

“This cannot happen in this country.We cannot function in this fashion. Let’s wind up the Supreme Court.. It is better to leave this country. They can stay the order? There is so much money power…,” the bench added.

https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-pulls-up-telecom-companies-dot-over-non-compliance-of-agr-verdict