The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd’s plea seeking permission to sell 88 properties to Adani Properties Private Limited, giving the Union government six weeks to file its response.
A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh, also impleaded the Ministry of Cooperation after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that several cooperative societies formed by the Sahara Group could be affected by the proposed transaction.
Amicus Flags Objections to Property Sale
Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing as amicus curiae, submitted a note stating that he had received numerous objections regarding the properties Sahara seeks to sell. He told the bench that he has specifically filed objections concerning 34 such properties.
The bench clarified that the Supreme Court was not the suitable forum to scrutinise sale or lease deeds.
“The trial court or a specific committee appointed can look into those deeds,” the court observed.
CJI Gavai told the amicus, “Let the Union of India file its response and then we will look into those issues.”
Matter Adjourned for Six Weeks
The bench asked the Centre to submit its reply both to Sahara’s plea and to the amicus’ note before the next hearing, which has been scheduled after six weeks.
On October 14, the court had issued notices to the Centre, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other stakeholders on Sahara’s request to sell its 88 prime properties to the Adani Group.
The case continues to be closely watched given the scale of assets involved and the long-running regulatory and judicial scrutiny surrounding Sahara group entities.
