SC lifts spectrum auction results embargo
28 March 2015 5:06 AM IST
The Apex Court said the finalisation of the auction was subject to the outcome of matters pending before it, in which the legality of the “design of the notice inviting tender (NIT)” for the spectrum has been challenged by major telecom players including Bharti Hexacom Ltd and Reliance Telecom Ltd. However, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and P K Pant said it was “inclined” to modify its February 26 order by which it had allowed the scheduled commencement of auction from March 4, with the condition that “the same shall not be finalised without the leave of this court”.
“We are inclined to modify our order and give Union of India the liberty to finalise the auction and proceed further. All the successful bidders have to be instructed (by the government) that the auction on finalisation will be subject to the outcome of cases (before it),” the bench said.
The order allowing government to finalise the auction result would immediately lead to upfront payment of over Rs 28,000 crore in state exchequer by the successful bidders. It said government would ask all the successful bidders to implead themselves as party in the matter in the Supreme Court after information was made public.
“We are inclined to modify our order and give Union of India the liberty to finalise the auction and proceed further. All the successful bidders have to be instructed (by the government) that the auction on finalisation will be subject to the outcome of cases (before it),” the bench said.
The order allowing government to finalise the auction result would immediately lead to upfront payment of over Rs 28,000 crore in state exchequer by the successful bidders. It said government would ask all the successful bidders to implead themselves as party in the matter in the Supreme Court after information was made public.
Next Story
