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The Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
‘In Public Interest': MMRDA Tells SC as it Scraps Tender for Mumbai Elevated Road, Tunnel Projects
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government 'In Public Interest': MMRDA Tells SC as it Scraps Tender for Mumbai Elevated Road, Tunnel Projects The Wire Staff 44 minutes ago CJI B.R. Gavai welcomed the decision and said, 'We are in the era of transparency. We should appreciate SG Mehta and Mr Rohatgi.' View of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to scrap the tender process for the construction of Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar tunnel and elevated road projects in 'public interest', it informed the Supreme Court on Friday (May 30). A bench of Chief Justie of India B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih, along with newly-sworn in Justice Atul Chandurkar, was hearing the plea filed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) accusing MMRDA of certain irregularities in the tender process for the projects collectively worth Rs 14,000 crore. 'We are scrapping the tender. Scrapped,' said senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the MMRDA. The CJI, welcoming the decision, emphasised transparency. 'We are in the era of transparency. We should appreciate SG Mehta and Mr Rohatgi,' Chief Justice Gavai said. 'It is fairly stated that the entire render process is scrapped in larger public interest. Thus the plea is disposed off as infructuous,' the court concluded, closing L&T's plea. The 5-km-long twin tunnel project connecting Thane-Ghodbunder and Bhayandar is estimated at Rs 8,000 crore, while the elevated road projects, a 9.8-km elevated creek road bridge, to connect Bhayandar with Ghodbunder Road in Thane, is estimated to cost Rs 6,000 crore. Both the projects are part of the extension of Mumbai Coastal Road project. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Ltd alleged procedural lapses and unfair treatment in the bidding for the Thane-Ghodbunder to Bhayandar infrastructure project. The company contested its 'technical' disqualification from the bidding for the two projects, where Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder, even though its bid was reportedly at a substantially higher project cost compared to L&T's. The top court had started hearing the petition on May 26 and issued a stern directive to the MMRDA, suggesting it re-tender the two infrastructure projects, or face a stay on the current process. 'The very name of the bidder, it's difficult to believe, he has been chosen to construct the Central Vista by the Central government,' CJI Gavai had remarked, highlighting L&T's established credentials. 'Take instructions on whether you are willing to re-tender. Otherwise we will stay,' the CJI told solicitor general Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the MMRDA. In Thursday's hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for L&T, had highlighted that the company selected for the project lacked credentials and stressed that the process for selection was opaque. Notably, the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), valued at Rs 67,500 crore, has been a prominent purchaser of electoral bonds. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News The Redevelopment of Dharavi will Destroy the Livelihoods of Those Who Work in Small Businesses Mumbai Floods: Aaditya Thackeray, Varsha Gaikwad Slam BJP-BMC Over Civic Collapse Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai, Administration Issues Red Alert, Urges Citizens to Stay Indoors Yellow, Black, Blue: How Residents of Mumbai's Govandi Struggle with Dirty Water and an Apathetic BMC The Thousands of Wells of Mumbai Serve its People, Birds and Animals 'Completed' on Paper, But Missing in Key Border Areas: J&K Authorities Probe Centre-Funded Bunker Project 'We Will Die For Our Lands': Villagers in Arunachal's Siang District Protest Against Mega Dam Plan After Tahawwur Rana's Extradition, Govt Appoints Team of Prosecutors to Conduct 26/11 Trial How Amaravati Has Gone From Grand Blueprint to Ghost Town – and Back View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Revealing Celebi clearance reasons would defeat action's purpose: Centre
The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that it could not give Turkey-based Celebi Airport Services Private Limited the reasons for revoking its security clearance, as doing so would 'defeat the purpose of the action'. The Centre said that in unprecedented situations, an opportunity of hearing is not possible because delay itself might defeat the object of the act. It is also not possible to give reasons for the action, because that again defeats the purpose, it added. 'The country sometimes faces a situation so unprecedented that neither an opportunity of hearing is possible—because delay itself might defeat the object of the act—nor is it possible to give reasons for the action, because that again defeats the purpose of the action. That is when plenary power comes in,' Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said. The court was hearing a plea filed by Celebi Airport Services Private Limited, challenging the decision of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke its security clearance. SG Mehta also cited a Supreme Court ruling in which it was held that in cases involving national security, there is no requirement of following principles of natural justice and that such actions are a matter of policy which should be left to the executive. 'In a case of national security, either we do something or we don't do something. There is nothing in between,' SG Mehta said. He also stated that the current situation is not 'a carte blanche or a bhramastra that everything stops' for Celebi, as the court would give the company an opportunity to be heard. 'This is not a carte blanche or a bhramastra that everything stops. Judicial review is available to the petitioner. And if your lordships come to the conclusion that it is a mere cavalier manner in which we got rid of the petitioner, then your lordships can definitely interfere,' SG Mehta said. The arguments will continue on Friday. Celebi had on Monday told the court that public perception cannot be grounds for revocation of security clearance. The ground-handling company said it had been given no reason or opportunity for a hearing. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), withdrew Çelebi's clearance on 15 May 2025, invoking national security grounds. The move comes amid mounting diplomatic tensions after Turkey supported Pakistan during hostilities involving Operation Sindoor.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Waqf not essential part of Islam: Govt
New Delhi: The Union government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that Waqf is a charity organisation and is not an essential part of Islam. This was during the second day of the Waqf hearing in the apex court. A bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai is hearing the pleas challenging the new Waqf Act. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said Waqf is an Islamic concept, but it is not an essential part of Islam. Mehta further argued that charity is part of other religions. 'Hindus have a system of daan. Sikhs also have it. Waqf is nothing but just charity in Islam." The Solicitor General also made the case that the Central government was empowered to reclaim properties that were declared waqf under the controversial 'waqf by user' clause. 'Waqf by user is not a fundamental right and was recognised by a statute. Judgment said if a right is conferred by statute… right can always be taken away by a statute," he told the Supreme Court. 'Nobody has the right over government land… There is a Supreme Court judgment which says the government can save the property if it belongs to the government and has been declared as waqf,' he told the two-judge bench. Waqf by user refers to a concept where a property is recognised as waqf based on its long-term use for religious or charitable purposes, even without formal documentation. Speaking on the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf board, he said that Waqf was 'purely secular' in nature and did not touch upon any religious function, hence the provision of a maximum of two Muslim members would not change its character. He said a provision for the appointment of non-Muslims has been made to alleviate the concerns of the non-Muslim population, who may be affected by the decisions made by the Waqf board. SG Mehta also pointed out that the Commissioner of the Bombay and Gujarat Public Trust Acts – who control all temples that are purely religious 'unlike Waqf' – could be Muslims. 'Even Waqf used to be under the administration of a non-Muslim charity commissioner… If two non-Muslims are appointed, no prejudice would be caused,' he added. Responding to the submissions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, on Tuesday, SG Mehta commenced advancing his arguments on behalf of the Centre before a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Biren Singh tape: SC questions FSL report's credibility, asks for re-examination
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the credibility of a sealed cover Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report submitted by the union government on the leaked audio tapes allegedly featuring former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and directed the government to submit a 'fresh' report. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the Central FSL will need to re-examine the audio files in which Singh is purportedly heard saying that the ethnic violence in the state was instigated at his insistence, and then submit a fresh report. The bench asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to secure instructions from the union government on getting the Central FSL to 're-examine' the audio tapes and submit a fresh report. The court issued the directions after examining a report that was submitted by the Solicitor General in a sealed cover on Monday. After reading the report, the court said, 'What is this? You (union government) have to speak to your officers about it. Read the content and then talk to the offices, please examine and bring a fresh report,' the court said. Even as SG Mehta said he had not personally examined the contents of the report and hence, cannot comment on it, the court said neither the judiciary nor the union government was expected to 'protect anyone.' The apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust through advocate Prashant Bhushan, seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the tapes, claiming that they reveal evidence of the CM's involvement in fuelling the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that began in May 2023 and lasted till February this year. The violence claimed more than 230 lives and displaced tens of thousands in the northeastern state. After two years of unrest and violence in the state, Singh, who was the chief minister of Manipur at the time, stepped down on February 9, 2025, leading to the imposition of President's rule in the state on February 13. The leaked tapes in question allegedly pertain to audio recordings made by a whistleblower during a closed-door meeting with Singh. The petitioner NGO has claimed the tapes substantiate allegations of deliberate instigation of ethnic violence in the state. On Monday, as Bhushan pressed for an SIT, SG Mehta questioned the credentials of the petitioner NGO and called it a 'rookie organisation.' Mehta also said a probe into the violence was already being conducted by the State and it needed at least a month more for the same. 'Peace is now prevailing and the high court (of Manipur) can examine the issue. Let the investigation go on, rather than escalating the situation any further,' Mehta said. The Supreme Court, however, said irrespective of who was the petitioner, the government and the court did not need to protect anyone. 'Let us ignore the petitioner but if there is something wrong done, don't have to protect that wrong,' the court said and directed the Solicitor General to secure instructions on re-examination and the fresh report by July 21.
