On a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it almost clear that the deal between Antrix and Devas Multimedia would be annulled soon, the Bangalore-based private firm said it would take legal action to protect its rights and interests.
“Devas Multimedia reiterates that it has a legally binding Agreement dated January 28, 2005 with the Government of India's Department of Space/ISRO/Antrix…Devas expects the Government to fulfil all its obligations under the Agreement and will take strong, including legal, steps to protect the company's rights and interests,” it said in a statement.
Expressing “grave concerns” over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks on “pre-meditated” annulment of the controversial deal, Devas said the remarks came despite pending reviews by a high-power committee and CAG which were in the preliminary stages.
“In spite of the company's willingness to cooperate and assist in required government reviews without prejudice to our legal rights, we have not yet heard from the government in this regard. The government's unilateral decision without due investigative process and without following the principles of natural justice is disturbing and inappropriate,” it added.
Devas again reiterated that their deal with Antrix was “in line with the government's 1997 SatCom Policy” and said that it had complied with all its obligations under this Agreement and was in compliance with all law and rules in respect of conducting its business.
