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Chairman, Board of Trustees, Cochin Port Trust v. M/S Arebee Star Maritime Agencies Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.

Civil Appeal · 2018 INSC 216Decided 7 Mar 2018
Civil Appeal No. 2525 of 2018
Justice R.K. Agrawal · Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

Background

This is a referral order, not a final judgment. The Cochin Port Trust claimed ground rent on containers left uncleared at the port. The question was whether the steamer agent or the consignee is liable.

Decision Breakdown

This is a referral order, not a final judgment. The Court found its earlier decisions on this point inconsistent, framed five questions of law and directed that the papers be placed before the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench.

Lesson Learnt

There is no final ruling in this order. Liability for port charges on uncleared goods was left to a larger bench.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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