SC to hear plea on Vodafone tax dues July 1

The govt needs to recover Rs.20,000 crore tax dues from the company, as per the Income Tax Act 1961

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL on July 1 seeking directions to the government to discharge its statutory obligation by recovering Rs.20,000 crore tax dues from telecom giant Vodafone.

An apex court bench of Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Shiva Kriti Singh said they would hear the matter July 1 after senior counsel Bishwajit Bhattacharyya appearing in person urged the court to direct the government and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) "to comply with rule of law while administering the Income Tax Act, 1961, impartially, even handedly, without fear or favour".

The public interest litigation (PIL) petitioner has also sought directions to restrain the government from proceeding with arbitration under India-Netherlands Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA).