GP asked to pay another Tk 10b to BTRC within May

The Appellate Division on Monday ordered private mobile phone operator Grameenphone (GP) to pay another Tk 10 billion of the dues claimed by BTRC within the next three months.

The six-member Appellate bench, led by chief justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order.

Attorney general Mahbubey Alam and deputy attorney General Murad Raza appeared for the state while Barrister Khandaker Reza-e-Raqib represented BTRC and Barrister Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury stood for GP.

On 24 November last year, the Appellate Division asked GP to pay Tk 20 billion of the Tk 125 billion dues claimed by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission within three months.

Later, the Appellate Division on Thursday ordered GP to pay Tk 10 to BTRC within 24 February after hearing a review petition filed by mobile operator.

GP paid the sum on Sunday in compliance with the court order.

BTRC claimed the dues in 27 sectors from the mobile operator but failed to recover the money. Later, BTRC sent a notice to GP threatening to revoke its licence on 2 April last year.

But GP moved the court seeking a temporary injunction on the notice which was turned down on 28 August that year. The mobile operator later filed an appeal with the High Court.

On 17 October, the High Court imposed a two-month injunction on realisation of dues from GP. BTRC later moved the Appellate Division against the order.