CENTRE FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION vs U.O.I..

The Supreme Court, in Writ Petition (C) No. 382 of 2014, held that the decision of the Government of India to grant a voice telephony license to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. at an entry fee of Rs. 1,658 crores was arbitrary and violated the principles of transparency and fairness in public procurement. The Court emphasized that the license fee should reflect the market value, as indicated by the Comptroller and Auditor General's report estimating it at Rs. 25,000 crores. The Court ordered a review of the decision to ensure a level playing field among telecom operators, thereby upholding the principles of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.