The Indian government’s appeal against an international arbitration tribunal’s verdict to reverse its claim for Rs 221 billion in unpaid taxes from Vodafone Group Plc has been moved to a senior court in Singapore, with proceedings due for September, 2021.
On September 25, 2020, an international arbitration court rejected Indian tax authorities’ claim for Rs 221 billion in unpaid taxes and penalties pertaining to Vodafone’s 2007 acquisition of an Indian operator. In December 2020, the government filed an application in Singapore to set aside the award, citing jurisdictional issues. The appeal was filed at Singapore court because the arbitration was held there.
The government had utilised a 2012 statute that allowed tax authorities the power to review past cases to seek taxes from Vodafone for purported capital gains made several years ago. Vodafone had disputed the tax charges under bilateral investment treaties and sought arbitration.
