Centre defends ban on pre-paid mobiles

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that the ban on pre-paid mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir would not be revoked. "We cannot revoke the ban. It is because of security reasons that the ban on pre-paid mobile services has been imposed," solicitor general Gopal Subramanium appearing for Centre told a bench comprising CJI K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chauhan.

He placed on the record of the apex court an affidavit on behalf of the DoT, explaining the grounds for banning prepaid mobile services in the state. The court posted the matter for further hearing on Jan 25. The counsel for J&K Panthers Party, which has challenged the decision, however, said if such was the concern of the Centre then there should also be a stay on many of the schemes introduced for post-paid connections.