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Dhaka: Bangladesh has secured the services of a British legal firm to represent its Power Development Board (BPDB) in ongoing mediation talks with Adani Power Limited regarding disputes over coal pricing and electricity tariffs, officials announced on Friday.

The BPDB has chosen 3VP, a prominent London-based law firm specializing in commercial and financial litigation, to act on its behalf at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), which handles international arbitration cases.

According to the Business Standard (TBS), the 3VP chambers, led by King's Counsel Farhaz Khan, have been advising a national review committee concerning the Adani agreement for several months.

This development follows closely on the heels of the committee's submission of its final report, which outlines power sector agreements made during the tenure of the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government.

"The decision to appoint the British firm was prompted by Adani Power's initiation of arbitration proceedings in Singapore last year," stated a Power Division official, noting that the Indian company is claiming approximately USD 485 million in unpaid dues related to the contested coal tariff.

Mediation is a required but non-binding step prior to entering full arbitration under the terms of the agreement.

Bangladesh contends that Adani's coal pricing is excessively high, leading to inflated electricity generation costs. Following the fall of the Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, amid violent protests led by students, the BPDB has intensified its efforts to renegotiate with Adani.

The national review committee indicated on Thursday that it has gathered substantial evidence for Bangladesh to pursue international legal action against Adani Power Limited.

"Financial transactions occurred between Adani officials and Bangladeshi representatives, and the panel is prepared to present this evidence in court once legal proceedings commence," stated Fouzul Kabir Khan, the interim government's energy adviser.

The evidence has been shared with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation.

In November of the previous year, the review committee submitted an interim report, suggesting that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus could terminate the existing power procurement contract with Adani if corruption in the deal is established.

The committee, chaired by retired High Court judge Moinul Islam Chowdhury, has also prepared a separate report concerning the power purchase agreement with India's Adani group.

"We anticipate uncovering strong evidence of corruption as legal actions commence both domestically and internationally against Adani and other related companies involved in this corruption," reported a member of the state-run BSS, who wished to remain anonymous.

Shahdeen Malik, a prominent jurist involved in the committee, cautioned the government to consider the implications of nullifying foreign contracts, noting that while there are legal grounds for such actions, pursuing the matter in an international court could lead to claims as high as $5 billion.

Adani currently supplies 1,600 MW from its Godda plant located in Jharkhand. Bangladesh has recently settled its outstanding dues, making a one-time payment of USD 437 million in June 2025, clearing all receivables up to March 31, 2025.

Previously, Bangladesh faced challenges in settling dues, which led to Adani reducing its supply; however, full supply has been restored following the recent payments.