The post Supreme Court Backs Government’s Move to Reassess Vodafone Idea’s AGR Dues appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>During the hearing before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the court that circumstances had significantly changed since the earlier AGR litigation involving Vodafone Idea.
Mr. Mehta highlighted that the government now holds a 49% equity stake in the telecom operator, linking public interest directly with the company’s future. He noted that Vodafone Idea serves over 200 million subscribers, and any decision regarding the company would inevitably impact a large section of the public.
The Solicitor General also mentioned that the government had concerns such as over-invoicing, which would be reviewed thoroughly during the reconsideration process.
The court observed that the issue had moved into the policy domain, given the government’s substantial equity infusion and the involvement of millions of consumers. It found no fault with the Centre’s plan to re-evaluate the additional AGR dues for FY 2016–17, emphasizing that such a step serves the larger public interest.
Vodafone Idea had earlier challenged the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) additional AGR demand, arguing that its liabilities had already been finalized and could not be reassessed. The company sought the court’s intervention to quash the new demand and allow a complete reconciliation of dues up to FY 2016–17.
This fresh case emerged just months after the Supreme Court had dismissed similar petitions by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Tata Teleservices, who had requested relief from paying interest, penalties, and interest on penalties related to their AGR dues, citing financial distress. In its May order, the court had termed those pleas as “misconceived” and emphasized the need for finality in the long-running AGR dispute.
Earlier, on September 19, the apex court had also rejected a curative petition filed by the telecom companies, challenging the 2019 verdict that upheld the DoT’s recovery of approximately ₹92,000 crore in AGR dues.
With the government now set to reassess its additional demand, Vodafone Idea gains temporary respite as the long-standing AGR battle enters a new policy-driven phase.
The post Supreme Court Backs Government’s Move to Reassess Vodafone Idea’s AGR Dues appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The post Supreme Court Reserves Order on Stray Dog Removal Directive in Delhi-NCR appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the essence of Justice Pardiwala’s ruling, citing disturbing videos of dog attacks and warning of fatal consequences. “Children are dying; the visuals are gruesome,” he told the court, urging that urgent public safety measures remain intact.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for parties representing animal welfare concerns, described the order as “bad and impractical.” Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also for the same side, disputed claims of rabies-related fatalities, while senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra argued that the situation had escalated due to “complete inaction” by municipal bodies. Aman Lekhi echoed similar arguments, underscoring the role of civic negligence.
Justice Vikram Nath, heading the current bench, noted that the immediate question before the court was not the broader debate but whether to stay Justice Pardiwala’s directive. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s counsel maintained a neutral stance, stating that the corporation would abide by “whatever the court decides.”
Following the submissions, Justice Nath announced, “Order reserved,” leaving both sides awaiting the court’s ruling on a matter that has sharply divided opinion between safeguarding human lives and ensuring humane treatment of stray animals.
11:08 AM – Hearing Opens
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal remarks: “Human beings are adequately represented.”
Justice Vikram Nath quips: “We have been asked just to listen… but we are very vocal.”
11:10 AM – Solicitor General’s Arguments
SG Tushar Mehta appears for the Union government.
Frames the debate as a “vocal minority” vs. a “silent majority” of victims.
Cites videos of dog attacks; calls for their screening in court.
Reads data: 37 lakh dog bites a year (10,000/day), WHO data showing 305 rabies deaths annually, mostly children.
Emphasises segregation, not killing, of stray dogs; sterilisation alone insufficient to stop rabies or attacks.
11:20 AM – Kapil Sibal Responds
Says SG is effectively asking the court to ignore ABC rules and legislation.
Questions whether the municipal corporation has built shelters or sterilised dogs; alleges siphoning of funds.
Warns that without shelters, the order could lead to culling and disease outbreaks in overcrowded facilities.
Requests stay on Directions 1 and 4 of the August 11 order.
11:35 AM – Bench Intervention
Justice Nath asks Sibal to identify the “offending” parts of the order and keep submissions focused.
Sibal stresses practical impossibility of sheltering all strays without infrastructure.
11:40 AM – Other Counsels Join
Siddhartha Luthra: Civic bodies previously supported ABC compliance and cannot now take a contrary stand.
Another counsel: For every 24 people, there is one stray dog; responsibility lies with those defending the dogs.
11:45 AM – Delhi Government’s Stand
ASG Archana Pathak, for Delhi government, says it will follow the court’s directions.
11:50 AM – Court’s Observation
Justice Nath: The problem is due to local authorities’ inaction; rules exist but are not implemented.
Orders all intervenors to file affidavits with evidence.
11:55 AM – Singhvi’s Submissions
AM Singhvi says the order “puts the cart before the horse”; humane sterilisation and rehabilitation should come first.
Cites parliamentary data showing zero rabies deaths in some states between 2022–25.
Accuses SG of prejudicing the case; says the order ignores earlier SC rulings on ABC compliance.
12:05 PM – Final Arguments
Aman Lekhi: Unverified videos influenced a rushed order.
Colin Gonsalves: Sterilisation has reduced populations; complete eradication possible in 10 years with compliance.
12:15 PM – Order Reserved
Justice Nath: “We are only on the stay part.”
Reserves order on interim prayer for stay of August 11 directive.
The post Supreme Court Reserves Order on Stray Dog Removal Directive in Delhi-NCR appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The post Supreme Court Begins Detailed Hearing on Stray Dog Crisis in Delhi-NCR appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented stark figures to the court, revealing that India reported over 37 lakh dog bite incidents in the past year. “Nobody is an animal hater, but children are dying. This issue needs to be resolved, not contested,” Mehta stressed, urging swift intervention.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioners challenging a recent directive, underscored the seriousness of the matter, warning against hasty measures. He called for the suspension of the August 11 order, issued by a two-judge bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, which directed authorities to begin removing stray dogs from public spaces in Delhi-NCR and relocating them to newly established shelters.
That order mandated the immediate creation of dog shelters, with authorities required to report back within eight weeks. It further stipulated that detained stray dogs must not be released back into streets, colonies, or other public areas. The directive was part of a suo motu proceeding initiated on July 28 following reports of fatal rabies cases, particularly among children, linked to stray dog bites in the capital region.
The present hearing is expected to weigh the urgent need to safeguard citizens against the rights and humane treatment of animals, with the bench indicating that the “very serious” issue warrants a thorough legal examination.
The post Supreme Court Begins Detailed Hearing on Stray Dog Crisis in Delhi-NCR appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>