The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on Ericsson India’s plea seeking contempt action against Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) chairman Anil Ambani and two others for non-clearance of its Rs 550 crore dues.
A bench of justices RF Nariman and Vineet Saran said it is reserving its verdict.
During the hearing, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Ericsson India, said there was willful disobedience of apex court’s orders and contempt action should be initiated against them.
Dave, according to Bar & Bench, also said, “They have money for Rafale. However, somebody who is involved in every conceivable project has no money to pay Rs 550 crore and honour the Supreme Court order.”
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for RCom, said no contempt was made as no orders of the apex court were violated. He also denied any contemptuous behaviour on the part of his clients, reported Livelaw.
Ambani, Reliance Telecom Ltd chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel Ltd chairperson Chhaya Virani, were present in the courtroom.
The court had on 23 October, 2018 asked RCom to clear the dues by 15 December, 2018, saying delayed payment would attract an interest of 12 percent per annum.
The plea by Ericsson had sought that the court direct Ambani and the lenders forum to hand over the Rs 550 crore with interest from sale proceeds as per the 23 October order.
(With PTI inputs)