Bharti Airtel will be approaching the Supreme Court to challenge the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) order alleging customs duty evasion. The telecom operator has been asked to pay about Rs 800 crore in an order passed by the Tribunal on June 7.
“This is an industry issue regarding exemption from customs duty on the software imported by telecom operators for equipment. The Supreme Court is already seized of the issue in a similar matter involving another operator. We intend to file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” a Bharti spokesperson said.
As reported in Business Line a top Customs Department official said that a ‘showcase notice’ will also be issued to the telecom major within this month asking for payment of the entire amount. However, according to the Customs Act, Airtel has about three months to appeal at the Supreme Court.
“This is an industry issue regarding exemption from customs duty on the software imported by telecom operators for equipment. The Supreme Court is already seized of the issue in a similar matter involving another operator. We intend to file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” a Bharti spokesperson said.
As reported in Business Line a top Customs Department official said that a ‘showcase notice’ will also be issued to the telecom major within this month asking for payment of the entire amount. However, according to the Customs Act, Airtel has about three months to appeal at the Supreme Court.
