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Delhi HC dismisses Future's plea to restrain Amazon from interfering in RIL deal

But holds as valid Future’s resolution approving its transaction with Reliance

Amazon in advanced talks to buy 8-10% stake in Future Retail Representative image

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Kishore Biyani-led Future Retail's plea that sought to restrain Amazon from interfering in its $3.4-billion asset sale deal with Reliance Industries by writing to statutory authorities. The court declined Future Retail's plea for interim order injuncting Amazon from writing to authorities about the arbitral award saying "statutory authorities are free to form their own as per law." 

At the same time, the single-judge bench of Justice Mukta Gupta held as valid Future Retail's resolution approving its transaction with Reliance. Future Retail's suit has been held to be maintainable. "Amazon cannot be barred from writing to regulators on account of potentially irreparable damage," Justice Gupta said in the verdict.

All findings prima facie in nature, the judgement noted.

Jeff Bezos-led Amazon is locked in a bitter legal dispute with Future Group, which in August sold its retail assets to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries. The deal breaches agreements made in 2019 by Future, according to the US online retailer. 

In October, Amazon had won an injunction to halt Future's deal with Reliance from a Singapore arbitrator both sides had agreed to use in case of disputes. Future later said the order was not binding, prompting Amazon to lodge a complaint with India's market regulator Sebi. 




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