The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea by SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh seeking a review of an earlier order to deposit Rs 144 crore in a legal dispute with media baron Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways. The court rejected the argument that the ongoing West Asia crisis justified a delay in compliance.
Court's Observations
Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that the West Asia conflict erupted in February 2026, while the Supreme Court had directed the arbitral award to become executable on July 7, 2023. The court stated, "At the very outset, this Court cannot lose sight that the breakout of hostilities in West Asia is an event that has occurred in Feb 2026, while the apex court directed the arbitral award to become executable way back on 07.07.2023....this Court is of the opinion that the Review Petitioners are now attempting to take advantage of an event that has taken place more than two years after the passing of the SC order... which cannot be permitted in any manner whatsoever."
Penalty for Disobedience
The court also imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on SpiceJet and Ajay Singh for disobeying Supreme Court orders to deposit the amount. The judge remarked that the petitioners have been "constantly disobeying the orders of the apex court."
Arguments by SpiceJet
SpiceJet and Singh had argued that due to the West Asia conflict, all flights were suspended, and the airline was optimistic about obtaining financial support from the Indian government in view of the unprecedented hardship faced by the aviation sector. However, the court found these grounds insufficient to review its earlier order.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle stems from a dispute between SpiceJet and Kalanithi Maran, who along with Kal Airways, had invested in the airline. The Supreme Court had earlier directed SpiceJet to deposit Rs 144 crore as part of the arbitral award in favor of Maran.
