The Union government on Wednesday assured the Delhi High Court that it would not take a final decision on the deal between Malaysian company Air Asia and Tata Sons for launch of a new airline till December 11, the next date of hearing of a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, seeking quashing of the deal.
Solicitor-General Mohan Parasaran gave this assurance to a Division Bench of N.V. Ramana and Justice Manmohan. Mr. Parasaran gave the assurance when Dr. Swamy said that the government was scheduled to take a decision on the deal on December 11.
Earlier, Mr. Parasaran said that the petition was not maintainable.
As an interim relief, Dr. Swamy sought a direction restraining the government from taking any decision or granting approvals contrary to the Foreign Direct Investment policy and the Director-General of Civil Aviation guidelines.
He also sought a stay on granting approvals for direct investment in a green field airline project.
Dr. Swamy earlier moved the Supreme Court against the deal but it had directed him to approach the High Court.
