ex-CJI Khanna appointed as mediator to resolve Surat businessman dispute

The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed former chief justice of India Sanjiv Khanna as sole mediator to resolve a dispute involving prominent businessman Ashokbhai Haribhai Gajera and others in a case linked to textile market projects at Surat.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing an appeal filed by Gajera and two others against the March 11 order of the Gujarat High Court.

The High Court had dismissed a batch of petitions filed by Gajera and others seeking to quash an FIR involving allegations of siphoning off `1,900 crore and forging documents to illegally reduce a partner’s shareholding.

The CJI-led bench heard the arguments advanced by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on behalf of Gajera assailing the High Court verdict.