Future 4n3d15 Reliance Deal: Supreme Court Said to Bar Final Tribunal Ruling on $3.4-Billion Deal

Amazon appealed to the Supreme Court this month against Future Group's sale to market leader Reliance Industries. 3h6q53

By Reuters | Updated: 22 February 2021 15:00 IST

Future-Reliance Deal: Supreme Court Said to Bar Final Tribunal Ruling on $3.4-Billion Deal

In its SC appeal, Amazon will argue that an arbitration order in October that put the on hold 1i1450

Highlights

Indian stock exchanges and antitrust watchdog already cleared the deal
The deal now awaits clearance by the National Company Law Tribunal
Outcome of the tussle could reshape India's pandemic-hit shopping sector

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India's Supreme Court barred on Monday a final ruling by a tribunal reviewing Future Group's $3.4 billion (roughly Rs. 24,640 crore) sale of retail assets until the top court hears objections from aggrieved partner Amazon, three sources said.

Reliance Industries, accusing its partner of violating contracts by agreeing to the sale.

The outcome of the tussle involving two of the world's richest men, Amazon's Mukesh Ambani, could reshape India's pandemic-hit shopping sector and decide if Amazon can blunt Reliance's dominance of retail.

Future-Reliance Deal: Creditors Said to Scramble to Recover $2.5 Billion Loans

Three people familiar with Monday's proceedings said the Supreme Court ordered that while the tribunal can continue to review the deal and oversee the approval process, it could not a final order while the court hears Amazon's concerns.

"This is a good thing for Amazon," said one of the sources, who has direct knowledge of events.

Indian stock exchanges and the antitrust watchdog have already cleared the deal, which now awaits clearance by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), in line with regulatory procedures.

Future Group CEO Hits at Amazon's Bid to Stall Retail Deal in Internal Memo

A second source said Future had only asked the NCLT to let it to call meetings to seek shareholder approvals of the deal. That process will continue, and Future will later seek final approval from the tribunal, the source added.

Amazon declined to comment, while Future Group and Reliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The sources sought anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media.

In its Supreme Court appeal, Amazon will argue that an arbitration order in October that put the Future-Reliance deal on hold remains valid, Reuters has reported.

© Thomson Reuters 2021

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