The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson India over non-payment of its dues.
A Bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman sought a response from Mr. Ambani and others in four weeks.
Appearing for RCom, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi asked the court to accept ₹118 crore towards outstanding dues to Ericsson India to establish its bonafide.
The counsel appearing for Ericsson, however, refused to accept the amount and said the entire outstanding sum of ₹550 crore should be deposited. The Bench then directed RCom to deposit a demand draft of ₹118 crore in the registry.
Ericsson India on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking initiation of contempt proceedings for the second time against Anil Ambani for allegedly not complying with its order to clear dues of ₹550 crore.
Besides seeking contempt proceedings against the RCom chairman and two others, Ericsson has also sought that they be “detained in civil prison” unless they purge themselves by making the payment.
It also sought directions to the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent Ambani, Reliance Telecom Ltd chairman Satish Seth and chairperson of Reliance Infratel Ltd. Chhaya Virani from leaving the country.