India, June 9 -- In a major relief for telecom operators, the Bombay High Court has struck down the Centre's demand for one-time spectrum charges (OTSC) imposed on Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, bringing temporary closure to a legal battle that has stretched for more than a decade.

The ruling, delivered on Monday, could potentially save the two telecom companies more than Rs 24,000 crore in liabilities, easing financial pressure on an industry already burdened by high regulatory dues and mounting investments in network expansion.

The court quashed multiple demand notices issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), along with Union Cabinet decisions taken in 2012 that formed the basis of the levy. It also ordered the return o...