Ericsson case against RCom: SC reserves judgment on contempt plea against Anil Ambani, others

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson India on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani is guilty of contempt of court and should be given the strictest of punishments for “wilfully and consciously” defying the apex court orders and the undertaking given to pay outstanding dues of about Rs 550 crore. A bench led by justice RF Nariman reserved its judgment on contempt pleas filed by Ericsson against RCom and its promoter Anil Ambani and others.

Ambani along with Reliance Telecom chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel chairperson Chhaya Virani appeared for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as directed by the Supreme Court. Stating that a forensic audit by an independent agency should be done to know what RCom and its other group companies are up to, senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for Ericsson, argued that they (Ambani and other contemnors) “live like emperors… Fly in private jets and live in grand mansions. Surely they can pay. They have money to pay in Rafale, but don’t want to honour the SC order. How are they in all conceivable deals when they can’t pay Rs 550 crore…. They think they are god’s gift to mankind”.