Setback for Amazon as HC lifts status quo on $3.4 bn Future-Reliance deal

Court notes that Future Retail wasn't party to arbitration agreement with Amazon and prima facie "group of companies" doctrine can't be invoked in this case

The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed its single-judge direction to Future Retail Ltd (FRL) and various statutory authorities to maintain the status quo with regard to the Rs 24,713-crore deal with Reliance Retail in a setback for Jeff Bezos-led e-commerce giant Amazon, which has challenged the transaction. 

A division Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing the appeal filed by FRL against the court's order passed last week. The court had said it was satisfied that an immediate interim order was required to be passed to protect the rights of Amazon.

On Monday, the division