It took less than 15 minutes for the Supreme Court to ask everyone to go back and return on September 1. The short hearing without any interim order leaves enough room for every side to interpret the existing case the way they want.

The two-justice division bench headed by the Chief Justice made a few observations relating to the role of the third parties who are claiming damages if gas supply is stopped to them.

The bench asked them their role and why they weren’t objecting for so long and then asked everyone to get back by September 1, which means no interim order and hence no stand on the existing Bombay High Court order.

The Reliance counsel claims—let the January order on the sale of gas to third parties continue and hence they can sell gas to anyone in the meanwhile.

Harish Salve, RIL Counsel, “RNRL wants an interim relief for stopping us from supplying gas. This relief has not been granted."

However, the counsel for RNRL says the judgement of High Court is binding and Reliance cannot sell gas at least for now.

Ram Jethmalani, RNRL Counsel, "The HC judgement is binding and therefore the consequences follow. According to me they cannot deal with the gas."

But both parties know very well that gas belongs to the government and its stand matters the most, for now.

RS Pandey, Oil Secretary, said, “If Reliance doesn’t follow the government rules they can also be penalised. The gas belongs to the government."

However, RNRL continues to maintain an extreme stand saying the government is being blatantly unfair.

“RIL is a private party. It can ignore moral rules. The government can only act in public interest. We believe the government’s role is not in public interest,” said Jethmalani.

Counsels from both the parties interpret the observations made in the apex court, which suits their interest, but the bigger picture in the case remains unchanged.

For RIL it is business as usual and for RNRL it is a long legal battle that will unfold on September 1.