Ericsson moves SC over RCom dues

Besides seeking contempt proceedings against RCom chairman and two others, Ericsson has also sought that they be “detained in civil prison” unless they purge themselves by making the payment.

It also sought directions to the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent Ambani, Reliance Telecom Ltd ChairmanSatish Seth and Chairperson of Reliance Infratel Ltd Chhaya Virani from leaving the country.

“The contemnor named above having committed and guilty of contempt of court be directed to be detained in civil prison unless the aforesaid contemnors purge themselves by making payment of Rs 550 crores along with interest thereon in terms of the order dated October 23, 2018”, the plea said.

In civil prison, people are kept in jail but not with under-trials and the diet money for their maintenance is paid to the authorities by the opposite party which is in litigation. The apex court had on October 23 last year asked RCom to clear the dues by December 15 saying that delayed payment would attract an interest of 12 per cent per annum.

“It is respectfully being brought to the notice of this court that respondents have not paid payment of Rs 550 crore as ordered and as undertaken by December 15, 2018 or even thereafter. Clearly, the respondents have committed agross contempt of this court deserve to be punished for the same,” said the petition filed through advocate Bhargava V Desai.

The plea claimed that Ambani and two othershave “abused the process of law to the hilt and caused grave damage to the interest of justice.”

It alleged that RCom has sold its assets and money received was not used to clear the dues and was “illegally pocketed.” The plea sought direction to Ambani and the lenders forum to hand over Rs 550 crore with interest, as directed by the October 23 order, from the sale proceeds.

The apex court had on October 23 given one last opportunity to RCom for clearing the settlement amount.