No contempt in non-payment of Ericsson's dues: RCom

Reliance Communications (RCom) on Tuesday submitted to the Supreme Court that the company has not committed any contempt in not paying around Rs 550 crore outstanding dues of Ericsson.

RCom Chairman Anil Ambani was present in the court when his lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said this to the division bench, comprising Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Vineet Saran, in response to a contempt plea filed by Ericsson contending that RCom breached the apex court orders asking it to pay.

It was referring to August 3 and October 23, 2018 directions by the top court to RCom to clear Ericsson's dues.

The court asked Ambani, present in the court in pursuance of the contempt plea, to remain present during the hearing on Wednesday as the matter remained inconclusive.

Rohatgi said dues of Ericsson could not be cleared because RCom's deal with Reliance Jio for the sale of spectrum fell through.

However, senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for Ericsson, alleged that Ambani has committed perjury and contempt. He submitted that RCom got Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore from the sale of assets to others and the same was held back from the court.

Meeting the contention by Ericsson on RCom receiving the money and the court being not informed of it, Rohatgi said the money has not been received yet.

--IANS

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