Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging ₹16.6 Crore 'Fraudulent' Bank Guarantees In Twin Tunnel Project

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking investigation by CBI or SIT into alleged fraudulent bank guarantees accepted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) from a private company, Megha Engineering Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), for the construction of a Twin Tube Road Tunnel between Thane and Borivali worth around Rs.16,600.40 crore.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre dismissed the PIL and said that there would be no costs imposed.

The petition was filed by senior journalist, V Ravi Praksash and it alleged that fraudulent Bank Guarantees (BRs) were issued by a foreign entity in favour of MMRDA on behalf of MEIL. The petitioner was represented by Advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The petition alleged that MEIL gave 6 fraudulent BRs for the Twin Tube Road Tunnel project. It was stated the Bank Guarantee were a sham created only to circumvent and play fraud to obtain public funds without providing any secured guarantee.

The petitioner also alleges quid pro quo arrangements between MEIL and political parties in relation to electoral bonds. He thus prayed for an investigation by the CBI or SIT into the issue. The petitioner also sought to direct the MMRDA to terminate the contract awarded to MEIL for the project.

The PIL was opposed by Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Khambata appearing for MEIL, the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and the Advocate General of Maharashtra Birendra Saraf.

During previous hearing, MEIL argued that the petitioner suppressed material facts. Referring to a tweet made by the petitioner, MEIL further submitted that the petitioner committed criminal defamation by making a X post/tweet on the case after it was mentioned in the Court.

SG Mehta in addition to submitting that the PIL was malafide and raising objections to the conduct of the petitioner emphasized that the tender was a public tender and awarded to MEIL as it was the highest bidder. AG Saraf too submitted that the petitioner committed criminal contempt and prejudiced the sanctity of the court.

The order copy will soon be uploaded.

Case title: V. Ravi Prakash vs. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority & Ors.