Supreme Court imposes ₹10 lakh cost on Reliance for obstructing NTPC suit

The case concerns a dispute between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and NTPC Limited regarding the existence of a binding contract for natural gas supply, specifically addressing RIL's attempt to introduce oral evidence about internal documents that had previously been ruled irrelevant and excluded by lower courts.

Who it concerns: Appellant: Reliance Industries Limited; Respondent: NTPC Limited; Bench: Not stated in the provided text.

What the court decided

• The Court allowed the appeal filed by NTPC Limited.
• The Court set aside the Bombay High Court's judgment to the extent it permitted oral evidence regarding the content of documents previously held to be irrelevant.
• The Court held that previous orders excluding internal documents had attained finality and were binding on the trial court.
• The Court determined that it was not open to the parties to adduce evidence allowed by the impugned orders in view of the bar created by prior final orders.

Also in the document

• The judgment is marked as 'REPORTABLE'.
• The Court noted that the litigation has been ongoing since 2006.
• The provided text ends before stating the final cost imposition mentioned in the title, though the title indicates a Rs. 10 Lakh cost was imposed on Reliance Industries Ltd.