“NTPC is seeking enforcement of the contract under which RIL is bound and liable to supply 12 mmscmd of gas at a price of $ 2.34 per mmBtu for a period of 17 years for expansion of its gas-based power plants at Kawas and Gandhar in Gujarat,” said the application filed by RNRL lawyer E C Agrawala.

“RIL is relying upon the pleadings in the RIL versus RNRL case to support its defence against NTPC and the issues in both the cases are same,” the application said. RNRL said it wanted to be a party as the interest of NTPC and that it is identical and the decision of issues in one case are bound to affect the decision in the other case. RIL’s arguement, placed by way of an amendment to its written statements in NTPC suit, is an issue in the SLP (special leave petition) filed by RIL in the Supreme Court in the RIL-RNRL matter.

“It is submitted that the issues that arise in the case filed by NTPC in the Apex Court directly affect RNRL’s case against RIL,” RNRL said, adding that it was therefore necessary that it was permitted to be impleaded as a party in the NTPC-RIL case.

NTPC moved the Supreme Court on September 5, challenging a Bombay High Court decision that allowed RIL to amend its petition on the gas dispute citing the government’s pricing policy.