New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing of Vodafone Idea Ltd's plea challenging an additional Rs.9,450-crore adjusted gross revenue (AGR) demand from the Union government after the Centre sought more time.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that since the government now holds a significant stake in Vodafone Idea, there has to be some solution in the benefit of consumers. He urged the court to hear the matter urgently next Friday to work toward a resolution.

The dispute traces back to the Supreme Court's 18 March 2020 order finalising Vodafone Idea's AGR dues up to 2016-17 based on calculations by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and barring any self-assessmen...