The Delhi High Court on Monday directed Idea Cellular and Spice Communication to surrender the overlapping licences of Punjab and Karnataka circles to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The court also slapped a fine of R1 crore on Idea for not giving correct information on its merger with Spice.
Spice had licences for six circles which were overlapping with Idea. While four out of six overlapping licences were non-operative, two licences of Punjab and Karnataka were operative. After the court?s order both the operative licences have to be surrendered to DoT. Justice Manmohan, while delivering the judgment, disposed of Idea?s petition and imposed a penalty of R1 crore to be paid within six weeks to DoT for suppression of documents.
The court said, ?Cost should be imposed on Idea for not bringing to the notice of this court the rejection letter dated Jnauary 7 and 18, 2010 issued by the DoT, and for not placing on record relevant and material documents like licences and merger guidelines and correspondence exchanged between the parties.?
Justice Manmohan also directed the ministry of corporate affairs to suggest remedial measures to ensure that no party could obtain sanction of a scheme of arrangement without placing on record material and relevant documents before the court.