The High Court has barred India’s Adani Group from proceeding with arbitration in Singapore concerning unpaid bills under a 2017 power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bangladesh.
The court’s injunction, issued by a bench of Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Urmi Rahman, orders that arbitration remain suspended until a committee appointed to scrutinize the agreement and examine potential irregularities submits its findings.

The order follows a petition filed by Barrister M Abdul Kaiyum on 12 November 2024, challenging the legality of 5 November 2017 PPA between Adani Power and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

Kaiyum had also sent a legal notice last year urging BPDB and energy authorities to review or cancel the deal.

Speaking after the HC order, the petitioner warned that any attempt by Adani to initiate arbitration before the committee’s report would undermine the investigation.

He claimed the agreement involved multiple irregularities and highlighted that Bangladesh imports power from other Indian and Nepali sources at much lower costs; Tk5.5 per unit from Indian state-owned companies, Tk8–8.5 from private Indian companies and Tk8 from Nepal, while Adani power costs over Tk14 per unit.

Media reports have also raised concerns about non-transparent price negotiations with Adani.

A year ago, the High Court had issued an interim order forming a three-member committee of international energy and law experts to probe the agreement and report on its legality within 60 days.
Meanwhile, on 3 November 2025, Adani Power had announced its intention to pursue international arbitration to resolve payment disputes with Bangladesh.
The company supplies electricity from its 1,600 MW Godda coal-fired plant in India, which accounts for roughly 10% of Bangladesh’s electricity needs.

An Adani spokesperson said disagreements over cost elements prompted the arbitration move, but both parties hoped for a “quick, smooth and mutually beneficial resolution.”
Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan told Reuters that negotiations are ongoing and arbitration would only proceed if necessary.