SC directs Swamy to amend petition against Jet-Etihad deal

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had challenged the Jet-Etihad deal in the Supreme Court, alleging that the UAE airline is being favoured with additional air traffic rights.

The Supreme Court has now observed that the plea should not be limited to merely Jet-Etihad agreement. It has in fact directed Swamy to make Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and FIA a party in the case.

The plea, according to the apex court, should be widened to challenge the India-UAE seat sharing treaty. "There is a need to examine which other airlines are unduly benefiting under treaty," the Supreme Court said.It has now asked Swamy to come back to amend the petition to not only challenge the Jet-Etihad deal, but also to challenge the preliminary issue (India-UAE seat sharing treaty).

Swamy said due to the treaty, the loss to the Indian exchequer is estimated at over Rs 9500 crore.