In an order dated May 5, the court instructed all parties to submit updated written arguments within one week, according to Livemint. The issue became pressing after the Centre initiated nationwide testing of a multilingual cell broadcast system developed in collaboration with C-DOT on May 2.
The emergency alert system, overseen by the National Disaster Management Authority, utilizes cell broadcast technology to transmit warning messages with loud alerts to all mobile phones connected to local towers during emergencies. Unlike SMS alerts, this technology sends messages instantly and simultaneously.
During the proceedings, the Centre justified its decision by categorizing the project as a ‘strategic asset’ integral to public interest and national security.
ALSO READ | ‘I-PAC controlled TMC; corruption institutionalised’: Suspended leader Riju Dutta’s explosive claims
“Thus, outsourcing to any other entity and not developing it indigenously could have jeopardized national interests,” the government stated during the session, as reported by Livemint.
It was further noted that the Union Home Minister had sanctioned the proposal to designate C-DOT as the sole implementation agency.
However, Justice Sachin Datta challenged the government about whether its official documentation explicitly cited national security issues or justified restricting the project to a governmental body.
“Where is the approval?” Justice Datta inquired.
Representing Utimaco, advocate Amit Sibal argued that the government’s documentation did not clarify the rationale for selecting only C-DOT. He claimed the decision was arbitrary and favored C-DOT due to its close ties with the DoT (Department of Telecommunications).
Utimaco also raised concerns regarding the government’s choice to bypass a public tender process, asserting that this action contravened the General Financial Rules, 2017, which mandate transparent public procurement unless in exceptional circumstances.
The petition indicated that telecom operators had tested both platforms in previous trials. Reliance Jio and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited conducted tests with C-DoT, while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea utilized Utimaco’s technology.
Reportedly, in 2024, the Department of Telecommunications recommended both providers before subsequently instructing telecom operators to work exclusively with C-DoT.
Utimaco informed Livemint that the argument for national security was only presented after testing had commenced. The company also asserted that the system’s proof of concept was conducted by C-DoT using Utimaco’s platform.
A government official disclosed to the outlet that no purchase order has yet been issued to C-DoT for the nationwide implementation.
