New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (Nov 25, 2004) fixed Dec 3, 2004 as the next date of hearing on a petition filed by BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) challenging a Delhi High Court interim order restraining the PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) from disconnecting the Points of Interconnection with Reliance over the issue of passing international calls as local ones.

When the matter was mentioned, a bench headed by Justice N Santosh Hegde directed the listing for hearing on Dec 3, 2004.

BSNL has said the Delhi High Court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the petition filed by Reliance as the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) Act has categorically ousted the jurisdiction of the court to entertain such matters.

The Delhi High Court had asked BSNL to maintain status quo on the issue of interconnection agreement with Reliance until the court decided on the issue.

The HC had directed Reliance to deposit Rs 40 crore with BSNL. Different field units of BSNL have imposed a total of Rs 255 crore on Reliance for passing international calls as local ones, thereby causing revenue losses to the PSU.