Mumbai: Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) has approached the Bombay High Court against a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ravi Prakash challenging the bank guarantee accepted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the Thane-Borivali tunnel project.
In response, MEIL has filed a petition seeking the dismissal of Prakash`s PIL and initiation of contempt proceedings against him for allegedly making baseless allegations. Following the court`s decision to schedule a hearing, Prakash tweeted questioning whether the judiciary could uphold its integrity amid the influence of celebrity cadre and illicit financial networks.
MEIL has argued in its petition that Prakash failed to disclose a pending case before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) regarding alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure at TV9. The company further alleged that Prakash and his media platforms have been involved in publishing defamatory content and that the PIL was filed with malicious intent, despite multiple court rulings in favour of MEIL.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre heard the matter on Thursday. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Prakash, was set to begin arguments when Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, representing MMRDA, and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing MEIL, strongly opposed the PIL. They raised concerns over the petitioner`s credibility and accused him of contempt of court.
The Solicitor General further stated that MMRDA is prepared to provide all necessary transparency on the matter. However, given the nature of the allegations made against the judiciary, he urged the court to first initiate contempt proceedings and dismiss the PIL on these grounds alone.
The court has directed Prashant Bhushan to submit a written response and scheduled the next hearing for March 5.
