A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu posted the matter for final hearing next month on Swamy's petition seeking to quash the deal on the ground that it was against public interest as there has been squandering of natural resource, that is the sky and airspace.
Last month, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board approved a Rs 2,058-crore deal under which Abu Dhabi-based Etihad proposes to buy a 24 per cent stake in Naresh Goyal-led Jet Airways. The proposal needs to be cleared by capital markets regulator Sebi and fair trade watchdog CCI.
Jet Airways and Etihad Airways officials were not immediately reachable for comment on the market speculation. A spokesman for India's finance ministry, which oversees FIPB, declined to comment.
The much awaited Jet Airways--Etihad deal is concluded thereby ending the eight month long wait. Analysts seem upbeat on the deal which will not only help it reduce debt by a fourth but will also represent an attractive exit for investor if the deal goes through smoothly.
While hailing the Jet-Etihad deal announced on Wednesday, Saroj Datta, former executive director, Jet Airways, says foreign airways will not be able to revive Indian aviation sector.
Welcoming the latest development in the Indian aviation space, Sharan Lillaney of Angel Broking says the Jet-Etihad deal will benefit other aviation players too. The valuations of the deal, according to Lillaney will form a base for other such deal valuations.
Shares of Jet Airways climbed 17 percent to Rs 524.20 on media reports that the stake sale deal with Etihad will take off soon. According to CNBC-Tv18 sources, Jet Air is learnt to have revised certain clauses pertaining to the Etihad deal. The airline has agreed to give four seats to Etihad on its Board.