The Hindu Business Line : Reliance-RNRL case: Govt withdraws 4 affidavits

Speed course
The Government says it has withdrawn the affidavits to prevent further delay in the case
RIL and RNRL are fighting in the Bombay High Court over the sharing of natural gas from RIL’s KG basin

Rahul Wadke

Mumbai, Dec. 11 The Union Government’s stand on the pricing of gas from Reliance Industries’ KG basin at $4.20 per mmbtu remains unchanged, said the Additional Solicitor General, Mr Mohan Parasaran, shortly after the Government’s withdrawal on Thursday of four of the affidavits it had filed in the ongoing case between RIL and Reliance Natural Resources Ltd.

The withdrawal of the affidavits will not in any manner prejudice the Government’s stand in the case, but has been done to prevent further delay in the case, said Mr Parasaran.

RIL and RNRL are fighting in the Bombay High Court over the sharing of natural gas from RIL’s KG basin. Mr Parasaran said the Government would make a written and oral submission before the Court on the matter.

Mr Justice J.N. Patel who is hearing the case said the Government can withdraw its affidavits and assist the court through a written submission.

The withdrawal of the affidavits followed RNRL counsel Mr Ram Jethmalani’s argument before the Court that he was keen to cross-examine the secretaries of Government of India who had filed the affidavits.

Mr Jethmalani argued that there were inconsistencies in the affidavits. “These affidavits must either be thrown out of the court or cross examined. The most potent instrument for discovery of truth is cross examination. The evidence which is not cross examined is no evidence at all,” he said.

If the Government wants to put forth its gas policy in the affidavit then it has to be cross examined, Mr Jethmalani said.

The case has been adjourned to January 12, 2009.