Freedom 251: ADCOM founder says sold handset for Rs 3, 600, but didn't know Ringing Bells' resale plans

Ringing Bells’ woes just don’t seem to end as the company finds itself embroiled in one controversy after another ever since it announced the Freedom 251 smartphone priced at Rs 251. After reported enquiries by Enforcement Directorate and Deity , the ‘other company’ ADCOM now claims to take legal action. If you remember, many had pointed out an ADCOM branding on the devices distributed as prototype. The company had then clarified that ADCOM is an Indian company and and the final product will come with a lot changes sans the branding seen on prototypes. Now, Ringing Bells seems to be partly right here. ADCOM’s (Advantage Computer) founder and MD Sanjeev Bhatia has finally decided to speak out and reveals the controversial company did purchase handsets at Rs 3600. However, he doesn’t disclose the number of handsets bought.  Bhatia also makes it clear that ADCOM is not related to Ringing Bells in any way, and sold the devices to them as it does to lakhs of other consumers. Bhatia points how the ADCOM brand has been pulled into the Ringing Bells controversy and he wouln’t think twice before taking legal action against Ringing Bells, if any damage is caused. (Also read: Here’s why the Freedom 251 costs just Rs 251 ) “We still haven’t been able to evaluate their pricing policy, as we sold the handsets at Rs. 3, 600 per unit. We are deeply grieved by this incident where our mobile phone has been presented to masses for Rs. 251, and therefore, would not hesitate from taking any legal actions against the company, in case the entire fiasco impacts ADCOM’s brand name or subsequently we face any other kind of losses. We would also like to assert that ADCOM is in no way connected or linked with Ringing Bells or Freedom 251 and bears no responsibility what so ever, in the whole swindle and regret the inconvenience caused to our valued customers from all over the country,” Bhatia said in a press statement. Meanwhile, there have been reports from every nook and corner about Ringing Bells being questioned by Enforcement Directorate to how it has began refunding the money received from 30,000 users. The government is also believed to be monitoring the company and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said an action will betaken against it in case it fails to deliver the Freedom 251 smartphone. (Also read: Freedom 251 First Impressions ) While reports around Ringing Bells don’t seem to end, and it is to be seen if the company will manage to make the promised cash on delivery shipments by June.