Editing ISRO (section)

== Corporate affairs ==

=== S-band spectrum scam ===

In India, [[electromagnetic spectrum]], a scarce resource for wireless communication, is auctioned by the Government of India to telecom companies for use. As an example of its value, in 2010, 20 [[Megahertz|MHz]] of [[3G]] spectrum was [[Indian Telecom Spectrum Auction|auctioned]] for {{INRConvert|677|b}}. This part of the spectrum is allocated for terrestrial communication (cell phones). However, in January 2005, Antrix Corporation (commercial arm of ISRO) signed an agreement with Devas Multimedia (a private company formed by former ISRO employees and venture capitalists from the US) for lease of [[S band]] transponders (amounting to 70&nbsp;MHz of spectrum) on two ISRO satellites (GSAT 6 and GSAT 6A) for a price of {{INRConvert|14|b}}, to be paid over a period of 12 years. The spectrum used in these satellites (2500&nbsp;MHz and above) is allocated by the [[International Telecommunication Union]] specifically for satellite-based communication in India. Hypothetically, if the spectrum allocation is changed for utilisation for terrestrial transmission and if this 70&nbsp;MHz of spectrum were sold at the 2010 auction price of the 3G spectrum, its value would have been over {{INRConvert|2000|b}}. This was a hypothetical situation. However, the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|Comptroller and Auditor-General]] considered this hypothetical situation and estimated the difference between the prices as a loss to the Indian Government.<ref name="Thakur, Pradeep">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-spectrum-scam-hits-govt-this-time-from-ISRO/articleshow/7445139.cms |title=Another spectrum scam hits govt, this time from ISRO |last=Thakur |first=Pradeep |date=8 February 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 January 2018 |location=New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727213455/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-spectrum-scam-hits-govt-this-time-from-ISRO/articleshow/7445139.cms |archive-date=27 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/behind-the-sband-spectrum-scandal/article1200374.ece |title=Behind the S-band spectrum scandal |work=The Hindu |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219053426/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/behind-the-sband-spectrum-scandal/article1200374.ece |archive-date=19 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

There were lapses on implementing official procedures. Antrix/ISRO had allocated the capacity of the above two satellites exclusively to Devas Multimedia, while the rules said it should always be non-exclusive. The [[Cabinet of India|Cabinet]] was misinformed in November 2005 that several service providers were interested in using satellite capacity, while the Devas deal was already signed. Also, the Space Commission was not informed when approving the second satellite (its cost was diluted so that Cabinet approval was not needed). ISRO committed to spending {{INRConvert|7.66|b}} of public money on building, launching, and operating two satellites that were leased out for Devas.<ref name="ETDevdas">{{cite news |title=Devas Multimedia-Antrix deal: A timeline of ongoing tussle |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/devas-multimedia-steps-up-the-offensive-against-india-a-timeline-of-ongoing-tussle/articleshow/88974462.cms |access-date=22 July 2022 |agency=[[The Economic Times]] |date=20 January 2022 |archive-date=22 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722172031/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/devas-multimedia-steps-up-the-offensive-against-india-a-timeline-of-ongoing-tussle/articleshow/88974462.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
In late 2009, some ISRO insiders exposed information about the Devas-Antrix deal,<ref name="Behind the S-band spectrum scandal" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/2862/antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri/#main |title=antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri |publisher=Newsroom24x7 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519214523/http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/2862/antrix-devas-news-lalit-shastri/#main |archive-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |date=20 March 2015}}</ref> and the ensuing investigations led to the deal's annulment. [[G. Madhavan Nair]] (ISRO Chairperson when the agreement was signed) was barred from holding any post under the Department of Space. Some<!-- Name was unrevealed. --> former scientists were found guilty of "acts of commission" or "acts of omission". Devas and Deutsche Telekom demanded US$2&nbsp;billion and US$1&nbsp;billion, respectively, in damages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Antrix-Devas-and-the-second-generation-scam/2013/08/22/article1745659.ece |title=Antrix Devas and the second generation scam |work=The New Indian Express |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=6 February 2015 |author=Jethmalani, Ram |location=New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206055725/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Antrix-Devas-and-the-second-generation-scam/2013/08/22/article1745659.ece |archive-date=6 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Department of Revenue (India)|Department of Revenue]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs]] began an inquiry into Devas shareholding.<ref name="ETDevdas" />

The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] registered a case against the accused in the Antrix-Devas deal under Section 120-B, besides Section 420 of IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 in March 2015 against the then executive director of [[Antrix Corporation]], two officials of a USA-based company, a Bengaluru-based private multimedia company, and other unknown officials of the Antrix Corporation or the Department of Space.<ref>{{cite news |title=CBI registers case in the huge Antrix-Devas scam |url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/18/cbi-registers-case-in-the-huge-antrix-devas-scam/ |access-date=16 May 2015 |publisher=Newsroom24x7.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518104746/http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/18/cbi-registers-case-in-the-huge-antrix-devas-scam/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/antrix-devas-agreement-national-security-and-cbi/ |title=Antrix-Devas Agreement, national security, and CBI |publisher=Newsroom24x7 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503054604/https://newsroom24x7.com/2015/03/20/antrix-devas-agreement-national-security-and-cbi/ |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live |date=20 March 2015}}</ref>

Devas Multimedia started [[arbitration]] proceedings against Antrix in June 2011. In September 2015, the [[International Court of Arbitration]] of the [[International Chamber of Commerce]] ruled in favour of Devas, and directed Antrix to pay US$672&nbsp;million (Rs 44.35&nbsp;billion) in damages to Devas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-antrix-to-pay-rs-4432-crore-damages-to-devas-for-unlawfully-cancelling-contract/articleshow/49158235.cms |title=ISRO's Antrix to pay Rs 44.32&nbsp;billion damages to Devas for unlawfully cancelling contract |date=30 September 2015 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105072143/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isros-antrix-to-pay-rs-4432-crore-damages-to-devas-for-unlawfully-cancelling-contract/articleshow/49158235.cms |archive-date=5 November 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Antrix opposed the Devas plea for tribunal award in the [[Delhi High Court]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/antrix-opposes-devas-plea-over-tribunal-award-in-hc/ |title=Antrix opposes Devas plea over tribunal award in HC |last=Mathur |first=Aneesha |date=10 October 2015 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=23 January 2018 |location=[[New Delhi]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222153015/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/antrix-opposes-devas-plea-over-tribunal-award-in-hc/ |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>