Justice PV Sanjay Kumar Recuses From Hearing PIL Seeking Probe Against Vedanta Group Over Allegations By Viceroy LLC
Justice PV Sanjay Kumar of the Supreme Court recused yesterday from hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking investigation into the allegations made by US-based short-seller Viceroy Research LLC against Vedanta group companies.
The PIL, filed by Shakti Bhatia, was listed before a bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe.
The bench directed that the matter be listed, subject to the orders of the CJI, before a bench of which Justice Sanjay Kumar is not a part.
Earlier, when the matter was listed before a bench led by CJI BR Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran had recused, citing his earlier professional association with the law firm representing the SEBI, one of the respondents in the case.
The petitioner sought directions to SEBI, RBI and Ministry of Corporate Affairs to investigate into the alleged fraud, financial manipulations, price rigging, and regulatory violations committed by public listed entities, namely Vedanta Limited (listed as “VEDL”), Hindustan Zinc Limited (listed as “HZL”), and Vedanta Resources Limited (“VRL PropCo”), along with its sister concerns
The plea relies on a news article, according to which "a Delaware, United States-based investigative financial research firm and short seller, namely Viceroy Research LLC has published a Research Report on 09.07.2025 highlighting commission of fraud, financial manipulations, price rigging, and regulatory violations" by the companies mentioned above.
The petition further states that the Viceroy in regard to the said financial violations, had disclosed that it made representations to the concerned regulatory bodies, but no proactive steps have been taken by the authorities so far.
Case Details: SHAKTI BHATIA Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS W.P.(C) No. 832/2025