Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday dismissed as "motivated and defamatory" a petition filed in the Supreme Court against him alleging that he had favoured private firm Reliance Communications by reducing the penalty from Rs 650 crore to Rs 5 crore in 13 circles.  He contended that the figures and other grounds cited by the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) in the petition were wrong and misleading.

To press his argument, Sibal cited a communication of dated February 8, 2011, from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) suggesting imposition of a penalty of Rs 50 crore against Reliance Communication for "violation of terms and conditions" of the USOF agreement by "voluntary, unilateral and unauthorised switching off/closure of services" to users.

He explained that there was a contract between USOF and Reliance for putting up towers in rural areas and any violation has to be dealt as per the provisions of the contractual agreement.

"This whole process (petition) is malicious. This is motivated and defamatory. I wonder why proceedings have been filed in a court which is dealing with only 2G matters," Sibal told PTI. He said this has nothing to do with 2G case which is being heard by the Supreme Court.
A
n NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) has filed the application in the Supreme Court seeking CBI probe against Sibal for allegedly favouring private firm by abusing his position to over-rule the unanimous view of senior DoT officials. "It is a matter of grave concern that petitions are being filed in this manner," the minister added.