Amazon-Future case: "My family, me hold shares in Reliance:" Justice Hima Kohli offers to recuse

Supreme Court judge Justice Hima Kohli on Thursday offered to recuse herself from the case between Amazon and Future Group citing the shareholding held by her and her family members in Reliance Industries..The judge stated in open court that if anybody has an objection it should be raised right away. "My family and even me hold shares in Reliance. If someone has issues, please say it now," she said.Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ramana told the lawyers appearing in the matter that Justice Kohli may ultimately be a beneficiary if the decision rests in favour of Reliance. "If any objection is there, she will recuse," he added.However, the counsel for different parties stated that they have no objection to Justice Kohli hearing the matter.CJI Ramana asked for the same to be recorded in the order and adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 17. .The Bench of CJI Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli was hearing a plea filed by Future Coupons Private Limited against a Delhi High Court order which had put on hold Future Group’s deal to sell its retail assets to Reliance Retail.On August 6, the apex court had allowed an appeal filed by Amazon against a Delhi High Court order staying the attachment of properties of Future Group companies and Kishore Biyani in relation to the Future-Reliance deal.The Bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and BR Gavai had also held that the order of an Emergency Arbitrator of Singapore restraining Future Retail from proceeding with its merger deal with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail is enforceable in India, under Section 17(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.On September 9, the Supreme Court had stayed the proceedings in the dispute between Amazon and Future Retail Limited pending before the Delhi High Court for four weeks.The Supreme Court had also ordered a stay on the enforcement of the emergency arbitrator’s order by the high court..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.