The government will state facts before the court, if asked, in the case of mobile operator Sistema Shyam’s petition seeking reinstatement of its telecom licences, the Telecom Secretary, R Chandrashekhar said here today.
“All we have said is that if the court asks us we will state the fact. That’s it. Nothing more…nothing less. Why will DoT support or oppose something unless its own interests are involved,” Chandrashekhar said in response to question on DoT’s stand on SSTL curative petition in the Supreme Court.
The Russian conglomerate Sistema, the majority shareholder in SSTL, has demanded that Indian government should support its curative petition filed by SSTL before the Supreme Court on May 4.
In its petition, the company has sought exemption from the apex court order of February 2 that cancelled its 21 telecom permits.
“If government’s interest is involved, we will take a stand. If government’s interest is not involved then we will only state the facts. It is for court to decide,” Chandrashekhar added.
The Supreme Court in its judgment of February 2 had provided opportunity for companies whose licences were cancelled can continue their business in India by repurchasing spectrum through auction.
SSTL had decided not to bid for spectrum in the auctions of airwaves starting November 12 as it had said “it has been unfairly penalised in the February ruling of the Supreme Court and has filed a Curative Petition seeking to restore its licences.”