"Misconceived": Supreme Court junks plea by Vodafone, Airtel for waiver of interest, penalty in AGR dues

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the pleas filed by major telecom operators, Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, seeking a waiver of interest and penalties on their outstanding Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. The apex court firmly reiterated its previous stance on this long-standing issue, upholding the strict compliance with the payment obligations as determined earlier. This decision means that the telecom companies will have to pay the full amount of the AGR dues, including the accrued interest and penalties, without any further relief from the Supreme Court. The ruling underscores the judiciary's consistent position on the need for these companies to meet their financial liabilities as per the government's demands.