Bharti Airtel was today restrained by the Supreme Court from providing 3G roaming services to new customers in seven circles, where it does not have license to do so. The seven circles where Airtel does not have license to
provide 3G services are Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh East and Kerala. A bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Vikramajit Sen also said that no coercive steps will be
taken on the issue of penalty raised against Airtel for allegedly illegally providing 3G services.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Vikramajit Sen issued notices to the Centre and
Reliance Communications Ltd and sought their response within two weeks on the petition filed by Bharti Airtel challenging a Delhi High Court order giving its nod to DoT's decision to hold the 3G roaming pact of the telecom major as illegal.
The apex court said thereafter the respondents will file rejoinder within two weeks and posted the matter for hearing on May 9th.