Harish Salve uses detailed scale models, iPads, PPTs to defend Reliance Industries in KG Basin allotment challenge

Those who attended Court room 4 of the Supreme Court yesterday had the opportunity to witness Senior Advocate Harish Salve’s scaled down replica of the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin gas field. The senior advocate would also be relying on power point presentations and iPads to aid his arguments in the case of allotment of KG Basin gas block to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).

Salve began his arguments by stating that he proposed to take the allegations against his clients “head on”. This prompted Senior Counsel Colin Gonsalves, who is representing Gurudas Dasgupta in the matter, to remark that RIL would be giving a “magic show”.

Subsequently, a 3D model was placed on the desk of the judges as Salve argued the matter. Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for NGO Common Cause, however, remained unimpressed by the sophisticated artifact and judges had to persuade him to come closer to the 3D model while Salve was making his submissions.

The hearing in the two petitions, one filed by NGO Common Cause and the other by CPI (M) leader Gurudas Dasgupta, has been progressing for some time now and is being heard by a 3-judge Bench of Justices BS Chauhan, Jasti Chelameswar and Kurian Joseph.

The Petitioners have alleged deliberate underproduction against RIL and have sought cancellation of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) between the Union government, RIL and NIKO Resource Limited. The two companies had obtained rights for exploration, development and production of oil and gas in KG Basin gas block by way of the PSC.

The hearing will resume on April 22.