New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to
defer the gas dispute between Mukesh Ambani group firm RIL and
Anil Ambani group company RNRL to September four, as the Chief
Justice may lead a Constitutional Bench the same day.
The cross-appeals filed by RIL, RNRL and the
admissibility of the government's special leave petition on a
dispute are scheduled to be heard by a three-judge bench
headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan on September one.
While there is no official word on the possible change of
dates, sources said there may be a change in the date of
hearing due to the fact that the Chief Justice is leading a
Constitutional Bench comprising five judges on September one.
RNRL is likely to raise the issue before the court
tomorrow.
In its petition, RNRL wanted immediate implementation of
the Bombay High Court order that asked RIL to supply of gas to
it at USD 2.34 per mmBtu, which is 44 per cent less than the
official rate. RIL has contested the court award, saying it
cannot supply fuel without the government's consent.
The government had also filed a SLP seeking to declare
the part of the family agreement that divides gas from RIL's
KG-D6 fields between firms run by the two brothers "null and
void".
Reliance Industries Ltd in its appeal had alleged that
the High Court had erred in deciding the three terms --
quantity, tenure and price of gas supply -- to power plants of
RNRL affiliates.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 20:51