$2-bn tax dispute: SC allows Vodafone to hire chairman for 2nd arbitration

The company initiated a second arbitration earlier this year under the India-United Kingdom BIPA regarding the tax demand

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the government and Vodafone to appoint a chairman for the second arbitration initiated by the UK-based telecom major in connection with the $2 billion (approximately Rs 11,000-crore) tax dispute. The apex court, however, clarified that the proceedings shall wait till the final decision of the Delhi High Court on the matter by January 10.

The order of the Supreme Court came on an appeal by the Centre challenging the High Court order that asked it to participate in the second arbitration. The Vodafone Group had in 2014 initiated arbitration proceedings under the India-Netherlands Bilateral Investment