**Vodafone Idea Files Amended Petition in Supreme Court Seeking AGR Relief**
*By Mudit Dube | Sep 29, 2025, 04:36 PM*
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has filed an amended petition in the Supreme Court, seeking a waiver of interest and penalty on its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. The company has also requested a recalculation of its AGR liabilities, citing previous cases where similar demands were accepted.
This latest petition marks a change from Vi’s earlier plea, which focused solely on recalculating AGR liabilities without addressing interest and penalties.
### Hearing Postponed to October 6
Last week, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on Vi’s plea to October 6. During the proceedings, the Centre expressed that it does not oppose Vi’s petition but emphasized the need for a solution, noting that the government itself is an equity holder in the company.
The hearing relates to the Department of Telecom’s (DoT) demand of ₹5,606 crore for the financial year 2016-17 against Vodafone Idea.
### Legal Arguments and Additional Relief Sought
In its amended petition, Vi contended that the dues in question were already “crystallized” by the 2019 AGR judgment and thus should not be reopened. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, requested the adjournment to October 6.
Vodafone Idea cited earlier court judgments where waivers on interest and penalties had been granted. The company has now asked for additional relief, seeking that interest, penalty, and interest on penalties on principal AGR dues not be payable.
### Background: The AGR Case and Its Significance
The case originates from the Supreme Court’s March 18, 2020 order, which upheld AGR dues up to FY17 as calculated by the DoT, barring any reassessment by telecom operators. Despite this ruling, the DoT has raised fresh claims for FY18 and FY19.
Vi argues that much of the new demand overlaps with periods already settled by the apex court.
### Government’s Equity Stake in Vodafone Idea
As part of a financial restructuring, the Central government now holds a 48.99% stake in Vodafone Idea, having converted ₹53,083 crore of dues into equity.
Of the fresh demand totaling ₹9,450 crore, ₹2,774 crore pertains to the Idea Group and Vodafone Idea (post-merger), while ₹6,675 crore relates to the Vodafone Group for the pre-merger period.
### Outstanding AGR Dues and Liabilities
Vodafone Idea already owes ₹83,400 crore in AGR dues, with annual installments of ₹18,000 crore set to begin from March. Including penalties and interest, the company’s total liabilities to the government are estimated at around ₹2 lakh crore.
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*This ongoing AGR dispute remains critical, given its large financial implications for Vodafone Idea and the telecom sector at large.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/vodafone-idea-files-amended-petition-for-agr-relief-in-sc/story