CIAL accuses SpiceJet of spreading misinformation over Kochi weather

The dispute adds to a difficult stretch for the budget carrier, which is also facing an insolvency tribunal's ire. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) fined SpiceJet ₹7.5 lakh for informing the tribunal about a settlement at the last minute, after orders had been reserved in eight insolvency petitions against the airline.

The tribunal directed SpiceJet and Aviator ML to pay ₹7.5 lakh each to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. "Payment of cost of ₹15 lakh payable equally by the operational creditor (Aviator ML) and corporate debtor (SpiceJet), that is ₹7.5 lakh each, to be deposited in the Prime Minister National Relief Fund, within a period of 7 days from today," the bench said, passing the oral order.

Taking cognisance of the manner in which SpiceJet informed the tribunal about the settlement on the day the order was due to be pronounced, the bench expressed its displeasure, saying, "It is a fraud played with the bench."

The insolvency court had earlier reserved orders in eight insolvency petitions against the airline. The bench said one of its members was demitting office on Wednesday and there was not enough time to prepare detailed orders. It therefore de-reserved the matters and directed that they be placed before the regular bench for further consideration.

"There is no option left with us except to de-reserve order...matter may be placed before the regular bench which will consider the matter," the bench said.