SC rejects RNRL plea for final hearing of gas dispute on 1st

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to take up a gas dispute between Reliance Industries and RNRL for final hearing on 1st September, rejecting the prayer of Anil Ambani Group company for expeditious proceedings.

A bench headed Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said it will decide on the date of final hearing on 1st September when it will consider various petitions related to the dispute.

The RNRL prayer came up for mentioning and the company's counsel Mukul Rohtagi requested that final hearing be taken up on 1st September as the entire Bombay High Court record was before the apex court and nothing was left to be filed.

"All parties are here," he said, referring to Mukesh Ambani-led RIL, the government and gas users.

RIL counsel Harish Salve, however, questioned the need for early final hearing, saying "what public interest would this serve?"

The court enquired whether the petitioner wanted interim arrangement on the 1st September or the final order, Rohtagi said that RNRL was not looking for interim arrangement.

At this point Salve requested the court that there should be complete silence from all parties as people are going to the media.

Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said the government also wanted early resolution of the dispute.

The court said it will try to give an early date but the first week of September is not possible.

Seeking early resolution to the gas supply dispute involving Mukesh Ambani led RIL and Oil Ministry, Anil Ambani on Wednesday said that his group firm RNRL would approach the

Supreme Court for final hearing on 1st September.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on September 1 cross-appeals by both Ambani group firms, as also a petition by the Petroleum Ministry against a Bombay High Court order that asked RIL to supply gas to RNRL at USD 2.34 per mmBtu against the officially prescribed USD 4.2 per mmBtu.