'Appears to be too influential': CJI Surya Kant questions support for DAMEPL despite SC defeat
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned the support for DAMEPL, a Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary, despite its loss in the Supreme Court, echoing his colleague's criticism of the curative judgment's impact on arbitration in India.

Through the Reader lens — Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, hearing a contempt petition against Reliance Infrastructure chairperson Anil Ambani over the Delhi Airport Metro Express arbitration dispute, questioned why Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) — a firm that had ultimately lost the underlying case — was still being funded and supported. DAMEPL is pursuing enforcement of a curative judgment that reversed the 2018 set-aside of the original arbitration award in its favor against Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The CJI echoed a colleague's earlier criticism that the curative judgment's reversal has damaged India's standing in international arbitration, signaling deep judicial frustration with perceived abuse of process. The contempt proceedings center on whether DMRC is willfully disobeying the curative judgment by not honoring the award. The hearing highlights a tension between contractual enforcement and concerns that powerful litigants may be gaming the system after losing on merit. Observers are watching whether the Court will take a strong stand against what it sees as misuse of curative jurisdiction and whether this shapes how future large-ticket arbitration awards are treated.
What to watch next
- Watch for Supreme Court's next hearing date on the contempt petition against Anil Ambani.
- Track whether DMRC deposits the award amount pending final resolution.
- Monitor any Supreme Court comments on reforming curative petition thresholds.