SC extends 2G spectrum auction deadline to 11 January 2013

The Supreme Court has granted a third extension for completing fresh auction of 2G spectrum to telecom companies and directed the government to ensure that the process is completed by 11 January 2013.

Granting a fresh extension, the apex court, however, said failure to complete the 2G spectrum auction process by the 11 January 2013 deadline would be tantamount to contempt of court and would invite "contempt" action against erring officials with "exemplary" cost.

While extending the 31 August deadline, a Supreme Court bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan, also allowed all existing telecom licenceholders to extend operation till 18 January 2013, against the earlier deadline of 7 September 2012.

The court also made it clear that no court in the country will entertain any plea on this issue of 2G spectrum if the government failed to meet the 11 January deadline.

The bench observed that the government's failure to fix an ''outer limit'' for completing the auction process would only help the "existing operators to make effort to scuttle the auction and delay the process."

"Unless the outer limit is fixed, the auction process will never happen" and "it is also the fact of the matter that they (government) have not complied with the 2 February judgement."