New Delhi: In a significant development for thousands of Sahara Group employees awaiting salaries, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear their interim wage petitions on November 17, the same date fixed for Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd (SICCL)’s plea to sell 88 prime properties to Adani Properties Pvt Ltd.

Employees Highlight Months of Unpaid Wages

During Friday’s proceedings, counsel representing the workers informed a bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai (sitting with Justices Surya Kant and M.M. Sundresh) that staff have not received salaries for several months. “This is a matter of survival,” the advocate urged, requesting the petitions be tagged with the ongoing SICCL application.

Responding promptly, CJI Gavai said, “Alright, list these petitions also on November 17.” The court’s nod brings hope to employees who have been in limbo amid the group’s prolonged refund litigation.

Background: Asset Sale and Refund Obligations

SICCL’s main petition—already listed for November 17—seeks permission to offload 88 high-value properties to raise funds for investor refunds ordered by the top court in earlier judgments. The bench had, on October 14, sought responses from the Union government, SEBI, and other stakeholders while impleading the Ministries of Finance and Cooperatives.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre. The court also directed amicus curiae and senior advocate Shekhar Naphade to compile details of the proposed properties to facilitate informed adjudication.

What Happens Next?

• November 17 hearing: Simultaneous consideration of employee wage claims and SICCL’s asset-sale request.
• Employee relief: Court may issue interim directions for partial salary disbursal from escrow accounts or sale proceeds.
• Investor refunds: Progress on property sale could unlock funds for the long-pending Sahara-Sebi refund process involving over ₹25,000 crore.

The dual listing underscores the court’s effort to balance the interests of employees, investors, and the conglomerate’s revival attempts under regulatory scrutiny.

Disclaimer: This article is based on court proceedings reported on November 14, 2025. Outcomes of the November 17 hearing are awaited.