The Madras High Court has declined to extend an interim injunction restraining the Centre from proceeding any further with regard to the request for qualification (RFQ) from private parties for managing Chennai airport.
Originally, Airports Authority Employees Union had filed a petition questioning the validity of the decision to privatise Chennai airport, both domestic and international. The petition was filed on grounds of violation of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Act, and also as being ultra vires of the Constitution. In its counter, the civil aviation department said the department was authorised to develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services and undertake operations in the country and abroad in relation to airports.
Justice R. Subbiah said, since the petitioner’s counsel was not ready for arguments on Thursday, he was adjourning the petition to March 5. He made it clear the interim injunction, already granted, was not being extended. He posted the matter to March 5.