Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai appointed as sole mediator in the KG Basin dispute. (Images: X)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has appointed former judge Ranjana Prakash Desai as the sole mediator to resolve the ongoing Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin gas migration dispute involving Reliance Industries Ltd, two foreign companies and the Centre. The mediation process will also be supported by two domain experts recommended by the parties.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued the order after being informed that the parties had failed to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
During the proceedings, the bench observed that the parties had been unable to resolve their differences independently. It proposed that former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai be appointed to facilitate the settlement process. The court also directed that Justice Desai receive assistance from two domain experts. The concerned parties will suggest suitable experts to help address the technical aspects of the dispute and facilitate discussions.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, assured the court that the government would extend complete cooperation to the mediator. The bench asked all parties to contact Justice Desai on the same day or the following day to schedule a meeting according to her convenience.
The latest order follows an earlier development on May 20, when the Supreme Court declined Reliance Industries' request to postpone the hearing. At the time, the company and its two foreign partners were seeking mediation or conciliation with the Centre to achieve an amicable settlement.
The matter concerns appeals filed by Reliance Industries Ltd, BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd and Niko (NECO) Ltd against a Delhi High Court judgment that overturned an arbitration award in their favour in the gas migration dispute with the Centre. With previous settlement attempts unsuccessful, the parties will now pursue mediation under Justice Desai, with assistance from two domain experts.
