Ambani dispute back to square one as judge quits

By Pratish Narayanan

MUMBAI (Reuters) - A high-profile legal dispute between India's billionaire Ambani brothers was disrupted on Wednesday when a judge withdrew from a Supreme Court hearing, citing potential conflict of interest.

The hearing is expected to continue on Thursday, but arguments will have to begin again from scratch before a new bench, potentially delaying a verdict in a case that has unnerved investors and clouded the outlook for India's biggest conglomerate.

The Supreme Court began hearing arguments on Oct. 20 in a case that involves a deal by Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries to sell gas to Reliance Natural Resources, led by his estranged younger brother Anil, at below the price set by the government.

The court will determine whether Reliance Industries stands to make or lose billions of dollars on sales of gas from its major find in the Krishna Godavari Basin off India's east coast.

In an order, the Supreme Court said Justice R.V. Raveendran had recused himself and the Chief Justice would constitute a new bench.

Sonam Udasi, vice president at BRICS Securities, said the withdrawal of the judge was a "further indication that the case will be a long-drawn affair".

At 0815 GMT, shares in Reliance Industries were up 4.7 percent after sliding nearly 6 percent on Tuesday. Reliance Natural climbed 2 percent in a Mumbai market that rose 2.6 percent.

Reliance Industries had been expected to wrap up its initial arguments on Wednesday, but will now have to start afresh.