The Bombay High Court on Monday ruled against a petition that challenged a power supply contract awarded to Adani Group by the Maharashtra government, describing the plea as “unsubstantiated and reckless.” The court, led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, also imposed a Rs 50,000 penalty on the petitioner, Shriraj Nageshwar Aepurwar, for filing a vague claim.
Aepurwar’s petition had contended that the contract, which involved the supply of 6,600 megawatts of renewable and thermal power, infringed on the public’s fundamental right to fair access to electricity at reasonable rates. It further accused Eknath Shinde, the former Chief Minister and current Deputy CM, of engaging in corrupt practices during the awarding of the contract.
However, the court dismissed these allegations, noting the lack of any concrete evidence or supporting material to substantiate claims of corruption or procedural impropriety in the contract award. “The petition is bereft of any substantiating and supporting material and contains absolutely bald and vague allegations,” the judges remarked.
