New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on June 7 declined to issue notice to the Centre, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) and Tatas on a petition challenging the alleged diversion of VSNL funds by Tatas to one of its companies.

A division Bench comprising Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Vikramjit Sen told counsel for the petitioner, Forum for Justice and Peace (FJP), that no notice on the prayer sought by it could be issued.

The court, however, granted liberty to FJP counsel R K Maheshwari to amend his petition and posted the next hearing on June 17.

"We are not inclined to issue a writ on such a prayer," the court said.

Senior advocate and former Finance Minister P Chidambram appearing for Tatas contended that a writ of mandamus cannot be issued on the prayer sought by the petition.

"The petitioner had sought the court's direction to the respondents to place on record all documents leading to the deal of the VSNL with Tata Group of Industries or any other such person," he said.

Maheshwari told the court that he should be given an opportunity to amend the prayer part in the petition saying that the issue could not be ignored as it related to huge transfer of VSNL funds to a Tata Group company.

PTI