Shimla: A division bench of Himachal High Court dismissed an Oberoi’s group’s application on Thursday that sought the restraining order passed by Chief Justice Kurian Joseph on 10, September against promoter company EIH Ltd for holding an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) till final disposal the Hotel Wildflower Hall dispute to be stayed.
EIH had filed an Appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 against the 10th September order which had granted certain interim reliefs to the state government under Section 9 of the Act.
While the Oberoi group had roped in the services of senior counsel Shanti Bhushan to argue the stay application before the Division Bench of Justice RB Misra and Justice VK Sharma, the state was represented by Sajal Koser, a partner with Legacy Law Offices law firm.
EIH, the Oberoi Company, had served notice on Himachal Government, which is a minor shareholder in Mashobra Resorts Ltd – the company which operates Hotel Wildflower Hall, for holding an EGM to consider converting an Rs 100 crore loan advanced by EIH to Mashobra Resorts for the losses incurred in operating Hotel Wildflower Hall into equity.
The state had approached the High Court, seeking a restraining order for allowing EIH to go ahead with the EGM till final settlement of an arbitration award to the dispute that has been challenged by the Oberoi group.
Putting the Arbitration Award case pending settlement since 2005 on fast track, the chief justice Kurian Joseph on 10th September had restrained EIH from holding the EGM and making any changes in the equity holdings pattern of Mashobra Resorts Ltd till final disposal of the case.
The final arguments on the main case have been listed for 18th November.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
