Afghanistan in turmoil; embassy seeks adjournment in SC

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 20

As Afghanistan descends into chaos and anarchy following the recent takeover by the Taliban, its embassy here is unsure about the stand to be taken before the Supreme Court in a case relating to a dispute with a Delhi-based construction contractor.

On behalf of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi, advocate Ejaz Maqbool on Thursday sought an adjournment of hearing in the Afghan embassy’s dispute with KLA Construction Technologies Private Limited.

In a letter written to the Supreme Court Registry, Maqbool said he was unable to get instructions from the ambassador of Afghanistan in India as the country was in turmoil. He requested a Bench led by Justice Vineet Saran to adjourn the case for six weeks.

“Do you think the situation will get settled in six weeks?” asked the Bench.

“No… but at least I will be able to get instruction from the new regime. We should pray that things get settled over there,” Maqbool responded.

“In view of a letter circulated by learned counsel for the petitioner seeking an adjournment of six weeks, let the matter be listed after six weeks,” the Bench said in its order.

The case relates to a decade-old dispute between the Afghan Embassy here and KLA Construction Technologies Private Limited over certain repair work undertaken by the company at the embassy premises.

The issue was if arbitration of the dispute should be held in India or Afghanistan and the Afghan embassy has moved the top court against a Delhi High court order that went in favour of the company.