Supreme Court Defers Vodafone Idea's AGR Dues Hearing to Post-Diwali

The Supreme Court postponed the hearing of Vodafone Idea's plea against additional AGR demands to October 27. Vodafone seeks to quash payments for the period before FY 2016-17, citing past rulings. The Solicitor General advocated rescheduling post-Diwali. Vodafone claims calculation errors led to inflated dues by the Department of Telecommunications.

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing on Vodafone Idea's plea against additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) demands until October 27. This comes as the telecom giant challenges the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) requirement to pay dues that were reportedly settled in previous rulings.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran agreed to adjourn the proceeding after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested a postponement. He proposed that the hearing be rescheduled for after the Diwali break, a request the court accommodated.

Vodafone contends that DoT's actions are unjust, arguing that errors in calculations have inflated the dues originally crystallized by the court. The company seeks to nullify these demands and requests a re-assessment of dues based on guidelines issued on February 3, 2020. Past judgments have already determined the time frame and amount for telecom dues payments.

(With inputs from agencies.)