Bharti Airtel Limited has disclosed receiving a notice from the Andhra Pradesh Telecom Circle imposing a financial penalty of Rs. 8,00,000. The penalty stems from alleged violations of subscriber verification norms identified during a periodic Customer Application Form (CAF) Audit conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The Company stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the penalty levied and confirmed it does not agree with the findings, planning corrective action.
Regulatory Action Overview
Bharti Airtel Limited has informed the stock exchanges regarding a directive received from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), specifically the Andhra Pradesh LSA Circle. The communication, dated March 16, 2026, serves notice imposing a significant financial penalty.
Details of the Penalty
The penalty amount levied against the Company is Rs. 8,00,000 (Rupees Eight Lakh Only). This action was taken due to the alleged violation of established subscriber verification norms required under the License Agreement.
Basis of Allegation
The DoT conducts periodic Customer Application Form (CAF) Audits to ensure strict compliance with licensing terms regarding customer onboarding. The specific allegations relate to the CAF Audit conducted for the periods spanning September 2024 and October 2024. The core requirement mandates the Company to ensure adequate verification of customers before enrolling them as subscribers.
Company Response and Impact
The Company acknowledges that the maximum quantifiable financial implication is precisely the extent of the penalty levied. Furthermore, Bharti Airtel Limited has officially stated that it does not agree with the findings in the Notice. The organization intends to undertake appropriate actions for rectification or reversal of the same.
Source: BSE
