The Andhra Pradesh High Court has partly allowed a writ petition filed by STL Networks concerning its Kakinada Smart City contract. The court directed respondents to release ₹5.25 crore within 12 weeks of receiving the order.

The ruling was issued by Justice Sri Harinath N in Writ Petition No. 39920 of 2022. The order specifies that the State of Andhra Pradesh, Kakinada Smart City Corporation Limited, and other respondents must verify and release the approved and admitted amount. The court passed no order on costs.

Litigation Details

The dispute relates to the contract for the development and implementation of Smart City Solutions in Kakinada, dated June 30, 2017. The petitioner, originally Sterlite Technologies Limited, had filed the writ against the state entities.

Pending Grievances

The court granted liberty to the petitioner to separately raise grievances regarding the encashment of a bank guarantee amounting to ₹3.78 crore. This matter is to be addressed by invoking the dispute resolution clause under the contract.

Corporate Context

The notice was issued in the name of Sterlite Technologies Limited. However, the case pertains to the Global Services Business vertical, which was demerged into STL Networks Limited effective March 31, 2025. The disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.

What the Numbers Show

The judicial order resolves a portion of the financial dispute by securing an immediate cash inflow of ₹5.25 crore, while leaving a separate claim of ₹3.78 crore pending through contractual dispute resolution mechanisms. This bifurcation indicates that while the primary disputed amount has been legally validated for release, ancillary security encashments remain subject to separate procedural timelines.

STL Networks Limited announced on August 04, 2026, that Prerna Wadhwa , its Head-Legal and designated Senior Management Personnel, has tendered her resignation. The departure, effective November 04, 2026, marks a change in the company’s senior legal leadership, with Wadhwa citing personal reasons for her exit. This transition occurs as the company continues to navigate its operational and compliance frameworks under new management structures.

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, read with the SEBI Master Circular HO/49/14/14(7)2025- CFD-POD2/I/3762/2026 dated January 30, 2026. Meenal Bansal, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of STL Networks Limited, signed the intimation submitted to both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Resignation Details

According to the filing, Wadhwa submitted her resignation on August 04, 2026. Her tenure will conclude at the close of business hours on November 04, 2026, adhering to the notice period stipulated in her appointment letter. The company confirmed that she will ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities during this interim period.

Transition Protocol

In her resignation email addressed to Chandrasekhara Battula, with Navneet Kaushik copied, Wadhwa reaffirmed her commitment to facilitating a seamless handover of legal duties before her departure. The company has hosted the disclosure on its official website, www.inveniatech.com , ensuring transparency for stakeholders.

What the Numbers Show

While this announcement involves personnel changes rather than financial metrics, the timing of the resignation—three months after the initial filing date—highlights a standard notice period compliance within corporate governance. The absence of any cited professional disagreements or regulatory issues suggests an amicable separation driven by personal considerations, minimizing potential disruption to ongoing legal matters or compliance obligations for STL Networks Limited.