A government official, who filed an affidavit in the RIL-RNRL gas supply dispute between the Ambani brothers, was today asked by the Bombay High Court to remain present on November 27.
Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) lawyer Ram Jethmalani said that he wanted to cross-examine the official from the Petroleum Ministry. The affidavit was filed today.
"The court will decide on November 27 whether to allow cross-examination. It is our right to cross-examine," said advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who is a part of RNRL legal team.
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) and Anil Ambani's RNRL are in the middle of a legal battle over the gas supply master agreement, whereby RIL is to supply natural gas to RNRL.
The government of India has been made a party to the case, and its stand is that it can regulate the contract between RIL and RNRL.
The price of gas is the most contentious issue. RIL's stand is that whatever price the parties agree on must be approved by the government.
RNRL is opposed to the government determining the price. Jethmalani had earlier alleged that the government wanted to help Mukesh Ambani in this case.
Jethmalani also took exception to the government filing the affidavit, after telling the court last time that it would not be filing an affidaivit.
The government lawyer in the case, Justice (retd) T S Doabia, has been now replaced with Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parashar.
