63 Moons Damages Suit: Bombay HC directs P Chidambaram, two bureaucrats to file response in 8 weeks

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and top IAS officers Ramesh Abhishek and KP Krishnan to file their responses within eight weeks in the Rs 10,000 crore damages suit filed by 63 Moons Technologies Limited in the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) payment crisis case..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 today. The July 24 order had also warned that the matter will be decided ex-parte if the summoned individuals fail to appear..When Advocate Vishwanathan Iyer, counsel representing 63 Moons, pointed this out, a Single Bench of Justice AK Menon said that the 63 Moons will have the liberty to apply for an ex-parte order if the written replies are not filed within 8 weeks..While the Supreme Court has granted bail to P Chidambaram in the INX Media case registered by the CBI on Tuesday, he is still in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the same case..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 after eight weeks..[Read Order dated October 22, 2019]