Telecom network operator Reliance Jio Infocomm has sought apologies from COAI’s Rajan Mathews for making defamatory remarks about the 4G player.

Earlier, Rajan Mathews, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), in a press statement said that Reliance Jio has made a back-door entry into the telecom market.

Reliance Jio, a company promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, entered the Indian telecom market by buying a company that owned BWA spectrum for running WiMax services. Later, Reliance Jio bought additional spectrum in phases and is in the process of rolling our 4G services questioning the supremacy of Bharti Airtel.

Incidentally, Reliance Jio is a member of COAI. COAI is the telecom industry body — primarily for GSM operators in India.

“The comments by COAI’s Rajan Mathews is surreptitious, defamatory, and an act of contempt of the orders of the Supreme Court of India and devoid of any merit,” said Reliance Jio in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The press statement of Rajan Mathews skirts away from discussing the genuine need to deliberate Reliance Jio’s concerns and fair need to overhaul COAI’s regulations.

The allegations of Rajan Mathews in the press statement to the effect that Reliance Jio entered the sector as a “back door operator” are on the face of it defamatory and borders on contempt of the orders of the Supreme Court.

COAI and Rajan S Mathews is aware that these allegations were part of a public interest litigation filed before the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 382 of 2014 – Centre for Public Interest Litigation vs. Union of India & Others, and the said allegations have been duly adjudicated upon and rejected by the Supreme Court.

Reliance Jio, which is investing $20 billion plus in India, has already served notice to Rajan Mathews demanding apology for issuing the press statement to media. Jio has also approached COAI seeking appropriate action against Rajan Mathews. If COAI does not act upon it, Reliance will pursue legal recourse.

COAI comments

In a statement issued by Rajan Mathews, COAI did not comment on apologies sought by Reliance Jio.

COAI said it is disappointed that Reliance Jio has taken internal association matters which can very well be settled within the association into a public forum. “We categorically dismiss the allegations and claims of RIL Jio and will be in communication with them to resolve the matter.”

“We find the allegations of RJIO to be without merit, bald and motivated. They are intended to bring disrepute to the association. We remain committed towards advancing the industry position and our members and the consumers remain at the heart of everything we do,” said Rajan Mathews.

Baburajan K