Ethanol Blend, Stray Dogs, Celebi, Bihar Voter List Revision, and More

“What is contemplated is that an unequal treatment to unequals so that they become equal, is what our Constitution promises”

— Chief Justice of India BR Gavai talking about the landmark judgment allowing subclassification of Scheduled Castes for job reservation at a felicitation ceremony held by the Goa High Court Bar Association

After a break, troubles resume mounting for Anil Ambani

In the latest jolt to industrialist Anil Ambani, the Central Bureau of Investigation has raided his residence in connection with a loan fraud case relating to Reliance Communication. The federal agency has registered a case in the matter. The CBI probe comes shortly after the Enforcement Directorate began looking into the loan fraud case related to Yes Bank.  

The action against Anil Ambani and Reliance Communication follows the State Bank of India’s move to declare the now defunct company as fraudulent as per the RBI’s guidelines. This “fraud” tag is being contested by Ambani before the Bombay High Court.

RCom, which is undergoing insolvency proceedings is awaiting its resolution while the process remains pending at the bankruptcy court. Anil Ambani, separately, is also facing personal insolvency proceedings against him after the Supreme Court upheld the law on the wider issue of personal insolvency of guarantors.

Meanwhile, fighting the fraud tag, Ambani’s team says that adequate chance was not given by the bank to contest the label.

Needless to say, the courts are expected to see more litigation from Anil Ambani and RCom in the wake of finding themselves under the scanner.

The Week That Was

Courts

• A public interest plea filed in Supreme Court challenged the decision to roll out 20% ethanol-blended petrol without giving a choice to consumers to opt for ethanol-free variety
• Supreme Court says that those excluded from Bihar’s voter revision exercise can submit Aadhaar to seek inclusion
• Supreme Court modifies previous order in case related to stray dogs in Delhi NCR, allows the dogs to be released to their original locality following their vaccination and immunization; the court expand the scope of the case to pan-India and will consider framing a national level framework
• Karnataka High Court poses question on the feasibility of a blanket ban on bike taxis in the state keeping in mind the impact on livelihoods and employment
• Turkish firm Celebi withdraws its petition challenging government move to cancel its security clearance from Bombay High Court

Quasi Courts

• Former DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan declared bankrupt by the National Company Law Tribunal

Others

• CJI BR Gavai inaugurates circuit bench of the Bombay High Court at Kolhapur

The Big Listings

Sep 17: NCLT in Ahmedabad to hear petition for Vedanta’s demerge

* The dates of hearing can change and a concrete list is prepared just a day before

Legal Moves

• Bharati Nibjiya and Roopali Gosar elevated as partners at Dhaval Vussonji & Associates
• Collegium recommends two additional judges as permanent at Gauhati High Court; 14 lawyers to be elevated as judges at Bombay High Court
• Zenia Cassinath elevated as partner at Veritas Legal
• Three lawyers made associate partner at Acumen Juris
• Abha Shah joins IndiaLaw as partner