New Delhi— The Supreme Court on Monday deferred by six weeks the hearing on Sahara India’s plea seeking permission to sell 88 of its prime properties to the Adani Group. The bench, headed by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and comprising Justices Surya Kant and M. M. Sundresh, also directed the Centre to file its response to a detailed note submitted by the amicus curiae on the contentious proposal.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that several cooperative societies had been created by entities within the Sahara Group, which could be affected by any decision on the property sale. Considering this, the bench ordered that the Ministry of Cooperation be impleaded as a party in the case.
Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing as amicus curiae, submitted that he had received numerous objections regarding the assets listed for sale. He said objections had been filed specifically against 34 properties, questioning their legitimacy and ownership.
Representing the Sahara Group, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that many of the properties had already been sold or leased based on forged documents. He sought time to file a response to the amicus note and clarify the group’s position.
The bench, however, observed that the Supreme Court was not the appropriate forum to scrutinise the alleged forged sale or lease documents. It said such matters should be examined either by the trial court or a specially constituted committee.
CJI Gavai told the amicus that the court would examine the concerns raised only after the Union government filed its reply. The matter will now come up for further hearing after six weeks.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on October 14, sought responses from the Centre, SEBI and other stakeholders on Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd’s request to sell its properties to Adani Properties Private Limited.
