Mon Oct 06 15:22:36 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Supreme Court of India has once again deferred the hearing of a plea by Vodafone-Idea (VI) challenging a ₹9,450 crore demand from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) related to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. This is the second adjournment in as many weeks granted to the Solicitor-General representing the Centre. VI argues that its AGR liabilities have already been finalized and this additional levy for FY 2016-17 is unwarranted, requesting a full reconciliation. This case arises after previous Supreme Court rulings dismissing petitions from telecom companies seeking relief on interest and penalties related to AGR dues, and rejecting curative petitions challenging the original AGR demand. The Chief Justice has previously emphasized the need to finalize the long-standing AGR dispute, while VI faces immense financial pressure, with total AGR liabilities estimated at ₹83,400 crore and insufficient cash flow to meet its payment commitments.

**News Article:**

**Supreme Court Adjourns Vodafone-Idea AGR Dues Hearing Again, Citing Government Request**

**NEW DELHI, October 6, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India today deferred the hearing of a crucial plea filed by telecom giant Vodafone-Idea (VI) challenging a ₹9,450 crore demand from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) concerning adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. The adjournment, granted until October 13th, marks the second time in as many weeks the court has acceded to a request from Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government.

The Bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, agreed to the adjournment despite being scheduled to hear VI’s challenge. The plea centers around a disputed levy for the financial year 2016-17, which VI argues is a re-opening of liabilities already conclusively determined. The company is seeking to quash the additional demand and demands a full reconciliation of its dues up to the aforementioned financial year.

This latest legal challenge follows a series of unfavorable rulings for VI and other telecom operators regarding AGR dues. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking relief on interest and penalties associated with their AGR liabilities, citing financial distress. These petitions were deemed as “misconceived.”

The ongoing AGR dispute has plagued the telecom sector for years, stemming from a 2019 Supreme Court judgment upholding the DoT’s demand for approximately ₹92,000 crore in AGR dues from various telecom companies.

Chief Justice Gavai has previously stressed the importance of bringing closure to the protracted legal battle. However, VI’s financial woes continue to deepen as its total AGR liabilities are estimated at ₹83,400 crore, with annual payments of ₹18,000 crore commencing this past March. Including penalties and accrued interest, its total obligations are estimated at nearly ₹2 trillion. The company maintains it does not have sufficient cash flow to meet its payment commitments.

The continued delays in resolving this latest dispute add to the uncertainty surrounding VI’s future and the overall health of the Indian telecom sector.

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