The Supreme Court on January 9 issued a “revised” order demanding that Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) chairman Anil Ambani appears in court at the next date of hearing regarding a contempt case against him filed by the Swedish telecom manufacturer Ericsson over unpaid dues worth over Rs 550 crores.
Justice RF Nariman and Vineet Saran, in a revised order, have stated that the “personal appearance of the alleged contemnor (s) is not dispensed with”.
The written order issued on January 8 said that it had been “dispensed with” and had caused some confusion — the court on January 7 had turned down the demand from RCom lawyers that Ambani be exempt from making a personal appearance in the matter.
Ericsson had earlier filed the contempt of court petition pleading that Ambani should be detained in jail and be barred from travelling outside of India. The petition had come after Reliance Communications failed to pay dues of Rs 550 crore despite a court order.
Also read: SC Issues Notice to Anil Ambani in Contempt Petition Seeking His Arrest Over Unpaid Dues