'Luxurious Litigation' : Supreme Court Raps Amazon For Seeking To File Written Statements After Judgment Is Reserved

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday pulled up e-commerce giant Amazon for its request to file written submissions in the case pertaining to Amazon-Future dispute, five days after the Court reserved its order.

A Bench comprising CJI NV Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli remarked that the case appears to be a "luxury litigation".

"I think it's better to not list these matters at all. It's a luxurious litigation it appears," the CJI remarked.

Supreme Court had on 3rd February reserved its orders on the issue of whether NCLT proceedings with regard to Future- Reliance deal can be permitted to continue and if FRL can be allowed to go ahead with the steps of the scheme.

Today, Senior Advocate Nakul Dewan appearing on behalf of Amazon mentioned the matter and sought to file brief written submissions.

Responding to the request, the Chief Justice of India said, "You want to complicate matters? You want to drag on, continue these hearings then okay. We reserved order, it's getting ready, now you want to file written arguments. If I allow you, then I'll have to allow them(Future group), give them time to reply. I don't understand what is this practice".

The CJI opined that Amazon should have sought permission to file written statement on the day when the judgment was reserved. "If that day you had asked it was a different story", CJI said.

Mr Dewan submitted that they only wish to summarise their submissions, to assist the court.

"It seems you think we don't have ability to understand oral submissions? If that's your understanding then okay file it. After reserving orders, now after 5 days you again started re opening," CJI said

Senior Advocate KV Vishwanathan appearing for Future Group opposed Amazon's request and remarked that Amazon's intention is only to delay the matter. He added that the case was heard on 3rd January, and they should've filed the submissions at least two days after that.

"It's unfair to come after 5 days and come and mention, either same day they should've requested or next day they should have mentioned. This isn't correct the procedure," Mr Vishwanathan said

The Bench was then informed that a 7 page written submission is being filed by Amazon.

The CJI said, "7 pages written arguments? Where we reserved order and were thinking of disposing the matter that day itself? The Main matter is already over."

The Bench refused to allow Amazon's request to file written submissions.