SC rules telecom spectrum cannot be transferred under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favour of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), holding that telecom spectrum cannot be transferred as part of an insolvency resolution plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

Delivering the verdict, the top court observed that the issue was “not as complex as it seems.” A bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Atul Chandurkar, upholding the Centre’s stand, underscored that spectrum is a scarce and public natural resource that belongs to the community, and that its ownership and control — along with all associated benefits — must remain secured for citizens.