NEW DELHI: Even as Hutch moved the court against Essar's notice terminating a deal to sell BPL Mobile (Mumbai) to their joint venture Hutchison Essar, the Department of Telecom on Wednesday made it clear that its approval was not required for the merger.
Essar Teleholdings, the Indian partner in Hutchison Essar, had called off the sale of BPL Mobile (Mumbai) to the JV citing absence of necessary approvals by the July 31 deadline for completing the share purchase agreement.
However, Hutch has moved the Bombay High Court challenging the termination notice sent by Essar.
"If both the parties have gone to the court, it is amply clear that it is an internal dispute between them. Where is DoT in the picture," a senior DoT official said.
Essar had acquired the BPL's business in four circles, including Mumbai, last year and eventually agreed to merge it with Hutchison Essar.
While three circles had already been sold to the JV, the merger of Mumbai circle has been pending for the last 10 months and Essar is believed to be looking for other buyers for BPL Mobile (Mumbai).
