3G: Centre seeks contempt proceedings against Idea Cellular

Company allegedly provided 3G facilities to new customers in circles where it lacked the requisite licences

The Centre today moved the Delhi High Court seeking contempt proceedings against telecom major Idea Cellular Ltd for "wilful and deliberate" disobedience of a judicial order by allegedly providing 3G facilities to new customers in circles where it lacked the requisite licences.

"Instead of complying with the orders passed by this court, the petitioner (Idea Cellular) has filed an additional affidavit stating that it has 'additionally decided' to provide 3G services to those existing customers who meet the criteria. There is no criteria provided by this court.

"The order dated April 12 is clear and has to be obeyed in its entirely. The petitioner, under the garb of so-called criteria, has modified the condition imposed by this court on April 12... Therefore, it amounts to contempt of the said order," the contempt plea filed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said.

Earlier, in pursuance of a Supreme Court order on a plea moved by Bharti Airtel, the High Court had also restrained the DoT from taking any "coercive steps" against Vodafone and Idea Cellular which were asked to pay penalty of Rs 550 crore and Rs 300 crore respectively for providing 3G facilities outside their circles without the requisite licences.

The court had, however, put a condition on the telecom majors, including Idea Cellular, that they will not provide 3G services to new customers in the circles for which they lacked licences.