Bharti Hexacom Limited has secured a major legal victory after the Bombay High Court set aside a demand notice for one-time spectrum charge (OTSC) amounting to Rs 473.7 Cr. The judgment, delivered on June 8, 2026, allows the petition filed by the company through its promoter, Bharti Airtel Limited, challenging the demand issued by the Department of Telecommunications. The ruling specifically addresses the OTSC demand pertaining to the company's two telecom circles: Rajasthan and North East Circle.

Background of the Dispute

The dispute originated from a demand notice dated January 8, 2013, which was later revised in 2018. The company had contested this notice before the judiciary, arguing against the levy imposed by the Department of Telecommunications. The court's decision to set aside the impugned demand removes a significant financial overhang that had been pending resolution for several years.

The formal judgment was uploaded on the website of the Bombay High Court on June 8, 2026, at 17:56 Hrs IST. The disclosure regarding this material change in litigation status was submitted to the exchanges in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Bharti Airtel Limited, acting as the promoter, had filed the petition on behalf of Bharti Hexacom Limited. While the promoter submitted a separate intimation regarding the proceedings, the immediate beneficiary of this order is Bharti Hexacom Limited, which faced the liability in its operational circles.

Details of the Litigation

The following table outlines the key particulars of the case and the recent development:

Bharti Airtel Limited, the promoter of Bharti Hexacom , has confirmed that it did not encumber any shares held directly or indirectly during the financial year 2025-26. The disclosure was submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India and BSE Limited under Regulation 31(4) of the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011. This confirmation ensures that the promoter's shareholding remains free from charges or liens, which is critical for maintaining corporate governance standards and shareholder confidence.

The filing, dated April 07, 2026, was addressed to the stock exchanges and declared that Bharti Airtel Limited, along with persons acting in concert, had not created any encumbrance on their shares during the specified period. The document was signed by Rohit Krishan Puri, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer of Bharti Airtel Limited, on behalf of the promoter entity. The confirmation was also copied to the Audit Committee and the Company Secretary & Compliance Officer of Bharti Hexacom for their records.

Key Details of the Disclosure

The disclosure is part of the periodic compliance requirements mandated by the market regulator to ensure transparency in the shareholding patterns of listed companies. By confirming the absence of encumbrances, Bharti Airtel Limited has provided assurance to the exchanges and investors regarding the unencumbered status of its holding in Bharti Hexacom. The filing was submitted from the corporate office of Bharti Airtel Limited located at Bharti Crescent, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.