The Bombay High Court on Friday upheld the Maharashtra government’s decision to award the Dharavi slum redevelopment project in Mumbai to Adani Properties Private Limited.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar dismissed a petition filed by UAE-based Seclink Technologies Corporation, challenging the tender process and subsequent award to Adani.

The court observed that the grounds raised by the petitioner lacked “force and effort” and therefore dismissed the plea.

The Adani Group had secured the 259-hectare Dharavi Redevelopment Project with a ₹5,069-crore bid in the 2022 tender process. In contrast, Seclink had emerged as the highest bidder in the 2018 tender with a ₹7,200-crore offer. However, the 2018 tender was cancelled, and a fresh tender was issued in 2022, incorporating additional conditions.

Seclink Technologies initially contested the cancellation of the 2018 tender and later challenged the award of the 2022 tender to Adani Properties.

The High Court found no merit in the claims, stating, “The grounds raised in the petition lack force and effort. The challenge to the government's action of cancelling the earlier tender and issuing a fresh tender award fails.”

The Maharashtra government defended its decision, citing transparency in the tender process and denying any undue favour to the Adani Group. It explained that the 2018 tender was cancelled due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which impacted financial and economic conditions.

Additionally, the government highlighted that the redevelopment project underwent significant changes after the Indian Railways made an additional 45 acres of land available in March 2019.

The state asserted that there was no contractual obligation with the petitioner following the cancellation of the earlier tender. A government resolution issued in November 2020 formally annulled the 2018 tender, stating material changes in tender conditions after the “Bid Due Date.”

The government also argued that Seclink could have participated in the 2022 tender by submitting a fresh bid adhering to the revised terms and conditions.