HP Ranina on what Delhi HC ruling means for Future Group-Reliance deal

Until the matter comes up in the Supreme Court, Future group and Reliance are free to do what they want, says HP Ranina, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

The Supreme Court hearing will continue but in the interim the Delhi High Court has stayed the Single Judge Bench order directing “Status Quo” of Future Retail Limited (FRL) -Reliance deal. Is it now abundantly clear that RIL and Future can go ahead with the deal?
Yes they can go ahead with the deal. The Delhi High Court division bench judgment is in favour of the Future and Reliance Group deal. They are now free to go ahead until the Supreme Court sets aside or stays the Delhi High Court Division bench order.

So, certainly for the next few days, until the matter comes up in the Supreme Court, they are free to do exactly as they want to do. They can go ahead and no statutory authority can now be debarred from taking a view in accordance with law. This is what the division bench of the Delhi High Court has stated.