New Delhi, March 7: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to impose the status quo on the Dharavi Redevelopment Project while hearing a petition filed by Dubai-based SecLink Technologies, challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to award the project to the Adani Group.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar acknowledged that the project had already begun, with Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Adani Group, informing the Court that substantial funds had been invested and more than 2,000 workers were employed for the Asiad project. However, the Court agreed to examine SecLink’s plea and issued notices to both the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group.
In December 2024, the Bombay High Court upheld the award of the project to the Adani Group under a fresh tender, asserting that the state authority responsible for issuing the tender was best positioned to evaluate the project’s needs. The High Court also dismissed SecLink's claims, noting that their arguments lacked merit. The original tender, which was awarded to SecLink, was cancelled, and a new tender was issued in October 2022. In this round, the Adani Group was reportedly selected as the highest bidder.
SecLink argues that the 2022 tender was designed to exclude its participation, citing the Maharashtra government's decision to incorporate railway land into the project as the primary reason. The Supreme Court noted that the inclusion of railway land in the project was in line with the Bombay High Court’s ruling.
However, the Court did take note of SecLink’s claim that certain conditions in the new tender were altered to disadvantage their participation, stating that it would further investigate the matter. SecLink Technologies has contended that it was unfairly excluded from the bidding process, despite being the highest bidder in the original 2019 tender.
During today’s proceedings, SecLink's counsel stated that the company would raise its bid from Rs 7,200 crores by 20 percent, increasing it to Rs 8,640 crores. The Court asked SecLink to file an affidavit reflecting this revised offer and scheduled the next hearing for May 25. The Court also emphasized that SecLink must meet all other obligations besides the bidding amount if it seeks to participate in the offer.
Furthermore, the Court directed the Adani Group to ensure that all payments related to the project’s development are made through a single escrow account and that all required formalities are adhered to.
Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram appeared for SecLink Technologies, while Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented the Adani Group. Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the State of Maharashtra.
