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2012 DIGILAW 723 (SC)

Centre for P. I. L. v. Union of India

2012-08-27

G.S.SINGHVI, K.S.P.RADHAKRISHNAN

body2012
JUDGMENT : 1. This application has been filed on behalf of the Union of India with the following substantive prayers: (a) Pass appropriate orders that the Applicant may conduct the auction process in accordance with the time line set forth in Annexure A-4 hereto to facilitate the commencement of actual auction of spectrum on or before 12.11.2012; (b) Pass appropriate orders that following the completion of the auction, the applicant may complete the further process of allocation of spectrum and grant of licences in a further period of 40 days. 2. In paragraphs 2 and 10 of the application, the following averments have been made: 2. At the outset, it is respectfully stated that the Applicant is fully and irrevocably committed to the implementation of the judgment and orders of this Hon'ble Court. As set forth more fully below, it is respectfully submitted that the Applicant has already taken several steps and is taking further steps necessary with due dispatch and in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework to ensure the prompt implementation of the orders of this Hon'ble Court and for the expeditious conduct of the auction for the purpose of grant of fresh telecommunications licenses and spectrum as directed by this Hon'ble Court. 10. It is therefore respectfully reiterated that the Government of India is fully and irrevocably committed to complying with the directions of this Hon'ble Court as contained in the judgment dated 2.2.2012 and the order dated 24.4.2012 by the conduct of an auction that is fair and impartial. The Applicant would like to bring to the kind notice of this Hon'ble Court that in order to meet the objectives of the auction, sufficient time needs to be given to the auctioneer so that it can carry out all the required steps for the auction in an appropriate manner. At the same lime, enough time needs to be given to the bidders to enable them to take all necessary steps to participate effectively in the auction including for raising funds/ resources, obtaining internal approvals etc. Only if sufficient time is provided in respect of the above, effective participation and proper discovery of market price of spectrum would result. In the absence of adequate time, the objectives laid down by this Hon'ble Court for allocating spectrum through auction at market prices may not be fully achieved and the Government of India revenues may be impacted adversely. Only if sufficient time is provided in respect of the above, effective participation and proper discovery of market price of spectrum would result. In the absence of adequate time, the objectives laid down by this Hon'ble Court for allocating spectrum through auction at market prices may not be fully achieved and the Government of India revenues may be impacted adversely. 3. In compliance of the direction given by this Court on 24.8.2012, Shri R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications. Government of India, Sanchar Bhawan. New Delhi filed affidavit dated 24.08.2012, paragraphs 1 and 2 of which read as under: 1. I am fully conversant with the facts of the case and I am filing this affidavit, availing the permission granted by this Hon'ble Court on Friday the 24th August. 2012 to give a firm and irrevocable undertaking that the judgment of this Hon'ble Court dated 2.2.2012 in Writ Petition (C) No. 423 of 2010, Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. is being implemented and will be implemented fully, faithfully and as expeditiously as possible. 2. As already stated in para 2 at page 2 and in para 10 at page 8 of I.A. No. 8 of 2012 filed on 09.08.2012, the Central Government is firmly and irrevocably committed to implement the aforesaid judgment. The Presidential Reference has nothing to do in so far as implementation of the aforesaid judgment of this Hon'ble Court which has become final and binding is concerned. 4. We have heard Shri P.P. Rao, learned senior counsel appearing for the applicants, Sarva Shri Harish N. Salve, Dr. A.M. Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi, learned senior counsel appearing for the applicants in other interlocutory applications, Shri Prashant Bhushan, Learned Counsel for the writ Petitioner and Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who had appeared in the connected petition which was decided on 02.02.2012. 5. Shri P.P. Rao emphasised that the Government of India is committed to comply with the direction given by the Court on 2.2.2012 for conducting auction for grant of licenses and allotment of spectrum. He submitted that the auction will start on 12th November, 2012 and sufficient time will be required for completing the same. S/Shri Harish Salve and Dr. 5. Shri P.P. Rao emphasised that the Government of India is committed to comply with the direction given by the Court on 2.2.2012 for conducting auction for grant of licenses and allotment of spectrum. He submitted that the auction will start on 12th November, 2012 and sufficient time will be required for completing the same. S/Shri Harish Salve and Dr. A.M. Singhvi submitted that if the Court is inclined to entertain the prayer made on behalf of the Union of the India then the tenure of the permission granted to the existing licensees to continue to operate may be extended. 6. Shri Prashant Bhushan and Dr. Subramanian Swamy opposed the prayer made on behalf of the Union of India and submitted that the applicants are deliberately delaying implementation of the direction given by the Court so that the persons whose licenses were cancelled by the Court may continue to operate. 7. We have considered the respective submissions. In view of the undertaking given by the applicants to faithfully implement the direction given by the Court, which is also reflected in the affidavit of Shri R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, we deem it proper to accept the prayer made in the application to the extent of allowing time to the applicants till 11.01.2013 for conducting and completing the auction in terms of the direction given by this Court on 2.2.2012. 8. List all the IAs on 12.1.2013 for further consideration. 9. If the applicants fail to complete the auction by 11.01.2013, the Court will be constrained to suo motu initiate proceedings against the concerned officers and authorities under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Article 129 of the Constitution and may also impose exemplary costs on the applicants. 10. With a view to ensure that the auction proceedings are not impeded by any judicial intervention, we direct that no Court in the country shall entertain any suit, petition or application or any other action/proceeding involving challenge to the auction being conducted pursuant to the directions given by this Court and no Court or authority shall pass any interim order which may directly or indirectly impede the process of auction. 11. The existing licensees shall be entitled to continue to operate till 18.01.2013.