New Delhi, May 1 -- The insolvency court said it will decide next month on bankrupt telcoReliance Communications Ltd's plea seeking a Rs.550 crore refund from Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson.

During a brief hearing at the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday, Ericsson's counsel termed the plea "frivolous". The tribunal has directed both parties to file their responses and listed the matter for hearing on 11 and 12 June.

RCom and its two subsidiaries-Reliance Telecom and Reliance Infratel-paid Ericsson Rs.550 crore in 2019 following a Supreme Court order.

The bankrupt company now argues that the payment amounted to preferential treatment, since Ericsson is an operational creditor and received ful...