Delhi HC seeks Centre's reply on plea alleging misuse of 3G spectrum

The Delhi High Court today sought the Centre's stand on a plea alleging misuse of 3G spectrum licencing conditions by various private operators, including Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone, and causing a huge loss of to the state exchequer.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) AS Chandihoke to appraise it by November 30 of the government's stand on the plea which also sought a CBI probe into the alleged violation of DoT's licencing condition for using the advanced 3rd generation (3G) spectrum which enables superior telephony services.

The public interest lawsuit was filed by Advocate Yakesh Anand who, appearing before the bench, accused the three leading cellular service providers of providing the 3G mobile services in all circles despite having the licence to provide them only in a few circles.

The petitioner accused Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone for entering an arrangement with some other operators (in different circles) which do not have licence for 3G services but began providing services in those areas as well where they were not authorised to do so.

"It is clear that Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular won 3G spectrum and paid the 3G spectrum fee only in a few circles but are also providing 3G services in those circles where they had not obtained 3G spectrum and did not pay the spectrum fees" the petitioner said.