SC examines affidavit against Sibal

SC to examine affidavit filed against Kapil Sibal, the Union Telecom Minister by an NGO stating that he has unduly favoured RCom. NGO alleged that the minister has reduced the fine of Rs. 650 crore to Rs. 5 crore. The case will be considered during the hearing of 2G spectrum scam tomorrow by a bench comprising of Justices G Singhvi and A K Ganguly.

The minister denied the allegation, he said there was also no link whatsoever between the second generation (2G) telecom spectrum case which is being heard in the Supreme Court, and the imposition of penalty on some companies for closure of services in some areas.

"The government cannot function in this way. A minister cannot take a decision... If any decision you take is contrary to what is suggested by A, B and C, it becomes dishonest," he said. "People have built reputations over years. It is easy for you to destroy them."

He said after Reliance Communications stopped its services in some areas in November 2010, a notice was served Dec 21 under what is called the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) agreement, asking why a penalty of Rs.50 crore should not be imposed.