63 Moons Damages Suit: Bombay HC gives 4-week extension to P Chidambaram, two bureaucrats to file response

The Bombay High Court on Friday granted a 4-week extension to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and two bureaucrats Ramesh Abhishek and K P Krishnan to file a response in Rs. 10,000 crore damage suit filed by 63 Moons Technologies Limited in the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) payment crisis case..On Friday, after the Counsel for defendants sought more time to file their response to the damages suit, a Single Bench of Justice AK Menon gave additional four weeks and said that it would be the last extension. 63 Moons opposed the extension sought by defendants..On October 22, the Court had directed the defendants to file a response within eight weeks and had said that 63 Moons will have the liberty to apply for an ex-parte order if written replies are not filed within a stipulated time..On July 24, this year, the High Court had summoned the three individuals and directed them to appear in the judge’s chamber, in person or through an advocate, on October 15. However, since the Bench was not assigned on the said date, the Court heard the matter on October 22. The July 24 order had also warned that the matter will be decided ex-parte if the summoned individuals fail to appear..63 Moons (formerly known as Financial Technologies Ltd) had filed a suit alleging that Chidambaram, Krishnan, and Abhishek had caused loss worth Rs. 10,000 crore through an alleged conspiracy to engineer the payment default crisis to protect NSEL. In its plea, 63 Moons Technologies has sought the payment of damages and compensation for the alleged “malicious and mala fide actions” by the three individuals..KP Krishnan serves as the Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, whereas Ramesh Abhishek is the former Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Internal Trade..The plea made by 63 moons also calls on the Court to direct the three individuals to disclose their assets, properties, and bank account statements for the last three years. Further, it has also been prayed that the Court issue a temporary injunction to prevent them from alienating their properties..The Court is likely to hear the matter next month after four weeks.