JNPA seeks to dismiss Adani Ports plea against tender disqualification

After the Board of Trustees of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) informed that it has postponed the opening of bids to June 15, the Bombay High Court has adjourned the hearing on the plea by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) challenging the disqualification of its bid for the upgrade of the container terminal in Navi Mumbai. The matter will reportedly be heard by a regular bench on June 9.

JNPA has sought the dismissal of the plea stating that the court, which does not have the expertise to examine “terms and conditions of present-day economic activities of the state,” cannot intervene in the plea. A vacation bench was hearing the plea and has reportedly termed the disqualification of its bid as “illegal and in violation of fundamental and legal rights.” Adani Ports has sought a direction to restrain the Board from declaring the highest bidder or from signing a concession agreement with any other bidder pending the hearing of the plea.