SpiceJet says claims of KAL Airways, Kalanithi Maran on damages are 'legally untenable'

SpiceJet disputes ₹1,323 crore damages claim by KAL Airways and Maran, calls it baseless and legally untenable.

In an escalation of the ongoing dispute, SpiceJet on May 28 said the claims made by KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran for more than ₹1,323 crore in damages are baseless and legally untenable.

On May 27, KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran said they will seek more than ₹1,323 core in damages from SpiceJet and its chief Ajay Singh as well as challenge the recent Delhi High Court order in the ongoing dispute between the two sides.

In a regulatory filing, SpiceJet said it strongly refutes the claims made by KAL Airways and Mr. Maran regarding seeking damages of ₹1,323 crore.

"These assertions are not only legally untenable but also a regurgitation of previously rejected claims by the arbitral tribunal and then the Delhi High Court," the airline said in the filing on May 28.

According to the carrier, KAL Airways and Maran initially sought damages of more than ₹1,300 crore during the arbitration proceedings.

"This claim was thoroughly examined and subsequently rejected by a panel of three retired Supreme Court judges. Following this, KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran appealed to the single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court, seeking the same amount in damages, which was again rejected by the court," it said.

SpiceJet also said the two parties chose not to pursue any appeal before the appellate jurisdiction and consequently, the matter attained finality.