New Delhi [India], March 7: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to impose the status quo on the ongoing Dharavi Redevelopment Project while hearing a plea filed by Dubai-based SecLink Technologies. The plea challenges the Maharashtra government’s award of the project to the Adani Group.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar observed that the project had already commenced, with significant investments made and over 2,000 workers employed in the Asiad project. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Adani Group, confirmed the progress of the project. Despite this, the court agreed to examine SecLink Technologies’ plea and issued notices to the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group.
In December 2024, the Bombay High Court upheld the award of the project to the Adani Group, stating that the state authority responsible for issuing the tender was best suited to assess the project’s requirements. The High Court dismissed SecLink’s claims, asserting that the company’s grounds lacked merit.
SecLink Technologies was initially awarded the tender in 2019, but it was later cancelled. In October 2022, a new tender was issued, with the Adani Group selected as the highest bidder. SecLink contends that the 2022 tender process was manipulated to exclude its participation, despite its position as the highest bidder in the original 2019 tender.
The Maharashtra government had issued a fresh tender in 2022 to include railway land in the redevelopment project. The Supreme Court agreed with the Bombay High Court’s decision, noting that railway land was now part of the project. However, the Court also took note of SecLink’s submission that the conditions in the new tender were altered in a way that excluded its participation. The Court indicated that it would examine this matter further.
During the hearing, SecLink’s counsel stated that the company was willing to increase its offer of Rs 7,200 crore by 20%, raising it to Rs 8,640 crore. The Court directed SecLink to file an affidavit regarding this offer and scheduled the next hearing for May 25. It also advised that SecLink fulfill all other obligations besides the bidding amount if it were to participate in the process.
Additionally, the Court directed the Adani Group to ensure that all payments related to the development of the project are made through a single escrow account, ensuring all formalities are followed.
Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram represented SecLink Technologies, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Adani Group, and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta represented the Maharashtra government.