SC dismisses plea for winding up of "Statesman"

A bench of justices G S Singhvi and Gyan Sudha Misra, while dismissing creditor Chitra Nevatia's petition, however, clarified that dismissal of the appeal will not prejudice the cause of the parties to the pending suit on the issue.

"In our view, the impugned judgement does not suffer from any legal infirmity warranting interference under Article 136 of the Constitution. The special leave petitions are accordingly dismissed.

"However, it is made clear that dismissal of the special leave petitions shall not prejudice the cause of the parties in the pending suits," the bench said in a recent order.

The apex court passed the order while dismissing an appeal filed by Nevatia through counsel Pijush Kanti Roy challenging the July 4, Calcutta High Court's order which had dismissed her contention.

The petitioner had claimed that she and her family had routed finance running into crores for the newspaper through their various companies for purchase of newsprint but the newspaper had failed to pay up the dues.

Nevatia claimed Rs 7.30 crore was extended as a loan to the newspaper to buy newsprint but only Rs 3.56 crore was paid up. She claimed another Rs 5.65 crore, including interest, was due. PTI RB

PAL