Bombay High Court Grants Leave to Amend Plaint in High-Stakes Litigation Between Anil D. Ambani and State Bank of India - 2026-01-14

Procedural Progress: Bombay High Court Allows Amendment in Ambani-SBI Legal Dispute

In a recent procedural development before the High Court of Bombay, Justice Milind N. Jadhav has issued directions facilitating the progression of multiple interim applications filed by Anil D. Ambani against the State Bank of India (SBI). The order focuses on the refinement of the suit’s record, ensuring that the necessary documentation is accurately presented before the court proceeds to hear the merits of the interim applications.

Clarifying the Record: The Amendment Process

The hearing centered on the request by the Plaintiff, Anil D. Ambani, to replace specific documents within the Suit Plaint—identified as Exhibit ‘BB’ and Exhibit ‘CC’. The court granted the request, allowing the Plaintiff to amend the plaint forthwith.

To ensure the integrity of the proceedings, the court directed that the amended versions of these exhibits be promptly placed in the records of the Defendants. Notably, the court dispensed with the requirement for re-verification, streamlining the administrative burden of the amendment.

Setting the Timeline for Arguments

Following the resolution of the immediate procedural corrections, Justice Jadhav established a firm timeline for the filing of pleadings:

• Affidavits-in-Reply: The Defendants—represented by Senior Advocate Mr. Chinoy for the State Bank of India and Mr. Dwarkadas for the Auditors—have been granted a two-week window to submit their respective Affidavits-in-Reply.
• Rejoinder: Once the replies are filed, the Plaintiff has been given one additional week to submit any rejoinders.
• Service Requirement: To prevent last-minute delays, the order specifies that any rejoinder must be served upon the Bank by February 3, 2026.

Key Observations

The court's approach emphasizes the balance between procedural correctness and the timely administration of justice:

> "Amendment is permitted to be carried out forthwith. Department shall permit the Advocate for Plaintiff to carry out the amendment."

> "It is clarified that Rejoinder be served upon the Bank by 03rd February 2026 so as to allow sufficient time for the Bank to consider the same."

> "List the Interim Applications on Board on 4th February 2026 for hearing."

Looking Forward

With the procedural hurdles addressed, the focus of the High Court now shifts to the substantive arguments. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on February 4, 2026. This date will mark a significant point in the ongoing legal battle, as the court prepares to consider the requests for ad-interim and interim relief framed within the batch of applications involving Suit (L) Nos. 242 of 2026 and 245 of 2026. The clear timeline set by the Bench ensures that both parties have adequate opportunity to articulate their positions before the court arrives at a final decision.