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SC holds Anil Ambani guilty of contempt, give month to pay dues to Ericsson or face jail

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Reliance Communications (RCom) chairman Anil Ambani and two directors in his company were today (Wednesday, Feb 20) held guilty of contempt by the Supreme Court for failing to pay Rs 550 crore dues owed to Swedish telecom giant Ericsson despite court orders and their undertaking to the court.

A bench of justices RF Nariman and Vineet Saran asked Ambani and the two directors to pay Rs 453 crore to Ericsson within four weeks, failing which they would face three months’ jail term.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore each on them and if the amount is not deposited within a month, then 1-month jail will be awarded. The other two directors are Reliance Telecom chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel chairperson Chhaya Virani.

It directed that Rs 118 crore already deposited by Reliance Group in the apex court’s registry be disbursed to Ericsson within a week.

The Court further held that the unconditional apology given by Reliance cannot be accepted, in light of its cavalier attitude towards the highest Court of the land.

RCom shares price dropped as much as 9.2 per cent to Rs 5.45 after the court order.

The court had reserved its judgment last week after hearing the two sides, during which senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing Ericsson India in the case, had invoked the Rafale deal to target Ambani.

“They have money for Rafale. Somebody who is getting involved in every conceivable project has no money to pay Rs 550 crore to us and honour this Court’s order,” he told the bench. This was opposed vehemently by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Anil Ambani

“To say that Anil Ambani gave a personal undertaking and that it was unconditional is a travesty of justice … It was conditional,” Rohatgi said. Rohatgi told the bench that the sale which was expected to net Rs 18,100 crore brought in only Rs 780 crore.

Dave submitted that this money from the sale was given to the Department of Telecommunications instead of Ericsson. Rohatgi replied that lenders had done this to keep the telecom licence alive as without that, there would be nothing.

He told the top court that with the failure of its assets sale deal with elder brother Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, Anil Ambani’s company has entered insolvency proceedings and is not in control of the funds.

RCom had told the court they had tried to move “heaven and earth” to ensure Ericsson gets its due but was unable to do so due to failure of assets sale deal with Jio.

However, the Supreme Court Bench slammed Ambani for his “cavalier attitude” and “wilful disobedience” of the court’s earlier orders to pay the dues Reliance Communication owed to Swedish telecom Ericsson company.

The court said it wasn’t sending Ambani to jail straight away, despite finding him guilty of contempt and willful disobedience of its orders because the bench felt that “the contempt can be purged by clearing the payments with interest.”

CJI Gogoi sacks two SC officials for changing order on contempt case against Anil Ambani

The Bench dismissed their “unconditional apology” for disobeying the orders of the highest court of the country.

“RCom had no intention to abide with the undertakings… Undertakings were false to the knowledge of the RCom and group companies. This amounts to contempt of court,” Justice Nariman said while reading out the judgment.

The contempt petition was filed by Ericsson, contending that Reliance had committed gross contempt by disobeying orders of the Supreme Court, which had directed it to pay Rs. 550 crores to Ericsson towards settlement of dues.

On August 3, the Supreme Court had ordered that the payment of Rs. 550 crore be made on or before September 30.

Subsequently, Reliance sought an extension of time for making the payment, which was allowed by the Supreme Court. On October 23, the Court said that as a “last opportunity”, it will allow Reliance to make the payment along with interest before December 15, 2018.

Before the expiry of the said date, Reliance once again filed an application for extension of the deadline, but the same was withdrawn on December 14 after it realized that the Court was not inclined to entertain the application.

Ericsson thereafter sought the initiation of contempt proceedings against Reliance Communications and Anil Ambani for violation of the Supreme Court orders of August 3 and October 23.

In the petition filed through advocate Bhargava V Desai, Ericsson had prayed that Anil Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Communications, be detained in civil prison till the dues along with interest are cleared.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

CJP announces peaceful march in Delhi on September 5

The CJP has announced a peaceful march from India Gate to Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5 over what it calls the government’s failure to honour commitments made on July 25.

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Barely six weeks after withdrawing its nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak issue, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a peaceful march in Delhi on September 5, accusing the government of failing to honour commitments it says were made on July 25.

The satirical group said the march will begin at India Gate and conclude at the Delhi Police Headquarters. It has appealed to students, youth organisations and young citizens to participate in large numbers.

According to the CJP, parents of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and victims of alleged police brutality will lead the march.

Why has CJP announced the march?

The CJP said its National Working Committee reviewed the government’s compliance with commitments allegedly made to young protesters on July 25, following which the nationwide protests were withdrawn.

The group alleged that the government has since delayed action and avoided providing clear commitments on some of its demands.

The CJP had earlier demanded the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak, and an assurance that protesters would not face legal action.

The agitation was called off after the group said the government had agreed to fulfil its demands.

CJP raises issue of FIRs against protesters

The CJP has also alleged that the government did not provide a list of FIRs registered against protesters across the country for quashing, despite what it said was a request from the Supreme Court.

The group further claimed that the government had not given a clear commitment on the issue and that a written assurance to the CJP was still awaited.

“The National Working Committee of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convened today to review the Government of India and BJP/NDA ruled states’ compliance with the solemn commitments made to the young people of this country on 25 July 2026,” the group said in its statement.

It alleged that the government was “playing delay games” and “hiding behind technicalities” instead of implementing the commitments it said had been made.

CJP’s earlier protests over NEET leak

The CJP’s earlier agitation over the NEET paper leak had included protests by its volunteers and students. The demonstrations gained momentum after protesters marching towards Parliament were lathi-charged by Delhi Police, according to the group.

The clashes left several protesters injured, while police personnel were also injured.

The CJP later called off its agitation after saying that its key demand for Pradhan’s resignation had been met and that the government had agreed to address its other demands.

With the latest announcement, the group has now called for another mobilisation in Delhi on September 5.

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India News

Gurugram rain disrupts city, offices advised WFH as schools shift online

Heavy rain caused widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption in Gurugram, prompting WFH and online class advisories.

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Gurugram faced widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption on Monday after heavy rain overwhelmed several parts of the city. The district administration advised offices to allow employees to work from home and schools to conduct classes online following the disruption.

The administration said Gurugram recorded 70 mm of rainfall by 1.30 pm. Areas including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Railway Road, Sector 5, Old Delhi Road, Mehrauli Road and Basai Road were among those badly affected.

The disruption came despite the rain lasting for only about an hour, with residents again raising concerns over Gurugram’s civic infrastructure and drainage system.

Vehicles stranded, students forced to seek higher ground

Several motorists were seen abandoning their vehicles after getting stuck on waterlogged roads. Students returning from school also faced difficulties, with some moving towards elevated locations such as raised bus stops to stay away from flooded roads and the danger of open manholes obscured by muddy water.

The heavy waterlogging also affected movement on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, resulting in major delays for commuters.

The journey between Signature Tower and Hero Honda Chowk, which normally takes around 15 minutes, took at least 50 minutes on Monday, according to commuters.

Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, Sheetla Mata Road among affected stretches

A significant section of the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway near Cyber Hub, opposite Gateway Tower Metro station, was submerged, affecting traffic on the major route.

Sheetla Mata Road, which has been identified as one of Gurugram’s flood-prone stretches during the monsoon, was also among the worst-hit areas.

The latest disruption has once again highlighted concerns over the city’s infrastructure during periods of intense rainfall.

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Entertainment

Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan ad draws criticism over modern festive look

Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement has sparked an online debate, with some social media users questioning her contemporary festive outfit and the campaign’s concept.

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Kriti Sanon’s latest festive appearance has triggered a debate on social media after the actor featured in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement wearing a contemporary outfit.

In the advertisement, Kriti Sanon is seen in an off-white bralette-style blouse paired with a cape and a draped skirt. While the actor has previously experimented with contemporary interpretations of traditional fashion, some social media users criticised her look in the festive campaign.

The criticism was directed particularly at the choice of outfit for a Raksha Bandhan-themed advertisement, with several users questioning whether the look was appropriate for the occasion.

Advertisement’s pet dog sequence also draws reactions

The concept of the advertisement also became a point of discussion online. In the campaign, Kriti is seen tying a traditional rakhi on a dog after the pet barks at her.

The advertisement presents the ritual as a way of including the pet in the family’s Raksha Bandhan celebrations. However, several social media users questioned the decision to include the dog in the festive ritual.

Some commenters accused the brand of making a mockery of Indian festivals, while others said they disagreed with the overall concept of the advertisement.

Social media users criticise Kriti Sanon’s festive look

Kriti Sanon’s outfit became one of the main talking points among those criticising the advertisement. Some users described the outfit as inappropriate for a Raksha Bandhan campaign.

One social media user wrote that Kriti was tying rakhi in a “bra kinda attire” and questioned the use of such an outfit during the festival.

Another commenter compared the treatment of Raksha Bandhan with other festivals and criticised the advertisement’s presentation of the celebration.

Other reactions focused on traditional elements associated with Raksha Bandhan. One user questioned the absence of a puja thali and tilak while also criticising Kriti’s outfit.

A separate comment objected to the inclusion of the dog, arguing that the campaign was not representative of the traditional spirit of Raksha Bandhan.

These comments reflect the views of individual social media users and do not establish a broader consensus about the advertisement.

Kriti Sanon yet to respond to criticism

The Raksha Bandhan advertisement continues to receive mixed reactions on social media. While some users have criticised the actor’s outfit and the campaign’s concept, Kriti Sanon is yet to respond to the criticism.

The debate comes as brands increasingly use contemporary interpretations of traditional festivals in advertising, with the campaign’s presentation becoming a subject of discussion among social media users.

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