SC to hear Sahara employees' pleas for pending salaries
What's the story
The Supreme Court of India will hear on Monday the interim pleas filed by employees of Sahara Group seeking payment of their pending salaries. The matter will be heard by a bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai. The hearing comes after lawyers requested that these interim pleas be listed as employees have not been paid for several months.
Stakeholder responses
SC seeks responses from various stakeholders
On October 14, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other stakeholders to respond to a plea by Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd. (SICCL). The plea sought permission to sell its 88 prime properties to Adani Properties Private Limited. This matter is already scheduled for hearing on November 17.
Ministry responses
Supreme Court directs ministries to respond
The bench, which also included Justices Surya Kant and M M Sundresh, heard the interlocutory application of SICCL in a long-pending case related to Sahara Group's refund obligations. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submissions prompted the bench to make Union ministries of Finance and Cooperation parties in these proceedings. The court sought their responses by November 17.
Property scrutiny
SC appoints amicus curiae for property details
The bench appointed senior advocate Shekhar Naphade as amicus curiae to gather details of the 88 properties SICCL wants to sell. It also asked him to note other stakeholders' responses regarding these properties and their nature, whether they are clean or disputed. The court sought responses from the Centre, SEBI, and Naphade on Sahara firm's application by November 17.
Sale decision
SC to decide on property sale
The Chief Justice said, "We will decide on whether the properties are to be sold piecemeal or in one flock." The court also directed Sahara Group to look into claims of workers who haven't received their salaries for years. It asked Naphade to look into the issue of employees' salaries and dues, which will be considered at the next hearing.