New Delhi, Jun 11 (IANS): After a marathon hearing on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case through video conferencing, senior advocates casually discussed sanitiser machines and hand gloves, as the top court took time to dictate the order on the matter.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Hughes Communications, asked senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, "Why are you wearing gloves?" To which, Singhvi replied, "I have people here."

Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for Vodafone, told Singhvi, "Gloves are the biggest source of infection. Just carry a sanitiser."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), said he agreed with Rohatgi's suggestion. Following which, Singhvi took off his gloves.

Suddenly, the discussion turned to Sibal's sanitising machine, which he claimed can even disinfect case files and it costs Rs 85,000. All senior advocates urged Sibal to show his machine. Sibal pulled out his phone to show the picture of the machine.

Singhvi then showed Savlon liquid disinfectant and said, "I spray this on surfaces."

Then Rohatgi jumped into the conversation and told Sibal, "Why are you embarrassing Singhvi by telling how much sanitisers and machines in your house cost."

Rohatgi also shared his recent experience on video conferencing. "Yesterday, the Chief Justice said I was in a museum. Today, I turned the camera angle towards the door of the kitchen. Suddenly, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra appeared on the screen and the conversation ended."

A bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and comprising Justices S. Abdul Nazeer and M.R. Shah queried the telecom companies' counsel, if any of their clients have contributed towards the relief measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sibal submitted that Hughes Communication has a CSR fund.

Singhvi, on behalf of Airtel, submitted that his client has already paid Rs 100 crore to the PM-CARES Fund, and Tata has paid Rs 1500 crore.

Justice Mishra, during the hearing, said that senior lawyers should also be asked to contribute (towards Covid-19 relief measures) from their fees.

To which, Rohatgi replied, "Provided we get it, we are not paid nowadays and there is no security either."

Senior advocate Arvind Datar said, "I can file an affidavit." To which, Sibal said, "In your order, secure our payments too."