The Delhi High Court on Monday directed budget airline SpiceJet to deposit Rs 579 crore in connection with a share transfer dispute with the company’s previous owner, Kalanithi Maran. The bench, headed by Justice S Ravindra Bhat, directed SpiceJet to deposit Rs 250 crore in cash by August 31 and furnish the remaining Rs 329 crore as a bank guarantee with the court, PTI reported.
The order had been pronounced against SpiceJet in July last year, when the High Court had directed the company to pay the amount in instalments within 12 months. However, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh had challenged the ruling, arguing that a single bench did not have jurisdiction over the case.
The High Court dismissed Singh’s plea on Monday, saying, “Although we do not find merit in the appeal and have dismissed it, we have passed an order modifying the impunged order,” Justice Bhat said, according to The Indian Express.
The court observed that the earlier judgement needed changes because of the “unpredictable nature of likely injury” that the company may be subjected to if the entire amount is deposited in one deposit.
The bench gave the order while hearing a petition filed by Sun Group chief Kalanithi Maran and his airline Kal Airways. Maran has accused SpiceJet of not issuing share warrants in favour of the budget airline after its ownership was transferred to Ajay Singh in February 2015.
Maran’s company had sold their 350.4 million equity shares (58.46% stake) in the airline to SpiceJet co-founder Singh, making him the controlling shareholder of the company. In his plea, Maran had also asked for a refund of the Rs 690 crore his company had paid as operating cost and to repay debts for SpiceJet when the ownership was transferred.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!