The Gujarat High Court has issued a notice to Vodafone Idea promoter Kumar Mangalam Birla and company office-bearer Balesh Sharma in response to a petition seeking the suspension of the telecom operator's licence. The petition, filed by Vadodara resident Vasudev Thakkar in 2023, alleges that the company failed to supply a telephone directory and itemised bills to its subscribers, violating Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) mandates.
Petition Details
Thakkar's petition seeks various directions from the high court to the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), including the suspension of Vodafone Idea's licence. The petitioner claims that despite multiple requests, the telecom service provider did not provide itemised bills or a subscriber directory as required by TRAI regulations. He further alleged that he made numerous representations to DoT authorities regarding the breach of licence terms and conditions, but no action was taken.
Court Proceedings
After hearing Thakkar, who argued his case in person, Justice H M Prachchhak stated, "Issue notice, to respondent Nos. 1 (Birla) and 2 (Sharma), making it returnable on July 2, 2026." The court had earlier issued a notice to the DoT secretary in 2023. When no reply was filed, the court on March 26, 2025, directed the secretary to file an affidavit. However, the officer failed to comply, prompting the court to pull up the officer in July 2025, stating: "Prima facie, this court feels that respondent No. 3 (secretary, DoT) is in contempt. Despite clear directions issued by this Court on March 26, 2025, there is no reply filed by respondent No. 3. The conduct of respondent No. 3 is serious in nature. Respondent No. 3 has as such flouted the directions of this court by ignoring the same and not filing the reply."
Background
Thakkar made Birla and Sharma party respondents in his petition as office-bearers of the company, along with the DoT secretary. The case highlights ongoing concerns about consumer rights and regulatory compliance in the telecom sector. The next hearing is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
