SC orders 'status quo' in United Spirits-Diageo deal

Court will decide on the matter in April

Supreme Court on Monday directed that the "status quo" be maintained in the sale of United Spirits Ltd to British group Diageo Plc until April, when the court will hear the matter again.

In December, a regional Indian court ordered the annulment of the sale in response to a petition by creditors of United Breweries Holdings Ltd , which sold its stake in United Spirits to Diageo through a complicated share transaction.

Diageo had said it will appeal the decision.

The Supreme Court issued a notice to both United Spirits and Diageo on Monday and said it would hear the matter at length.

Diageo completed its takeover of United Spirits in July, almost eight months after the companies announced the deal because of legal and regulatory difficulties.