# SC refuses stay on Rs 3,300 crore spectrum charge quashing

2026-08-07T10:41:24+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to stay the Bombay High Court order that set aside the government's demand for Rs 3,300 crore in one-time spectrum charges from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. The high court had ruled that the retrospective levy, imposed on spectrum held beyond 6.2 MHz between 2008 and 2012, lacked contractual and statutory basis. The top court issued notice on the government's appeal but refused to block the release of bank guarantees tied to the demand. Airtel estimates its total relief at Rs 8,414 crore, while Vodafone Idea says demands of Rs 2,113 crore were quashed. The companies had accumulated provisions and interest liabilities running into thousands of crores. The Supreme Court will now hear the case.

## Coverage

- telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com <https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/sc-refuses-to-stay-bombay-hc-order-quashing-3300-crore-one-time-spectrum-charge-on-telcos/133025840>
- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/supreme-court-bharti-airtel-vodafone-idea-11786086504874.html>

Tags: Bharti Airtel, spectrum charges, Supreme Court, telecom, Vodafone Idea
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