Kerala HC orders release of Russian cargo ship detained at Cochin port
Kochi, Jul 20: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of a Russian ship, detained at the Cochin port here two days ago, after it was told that the dispute between the parties has been settled.
The ship was ordered to be detained by the high court on July 18 after an admiralty suit was filed by an Estonian shore service company, Bunker Partner OU, seeking a decree for a sum of USD 23,503.14 with an interest at 0.1 per cent per day for the value of bunkers supplied by the Estonian company to the ship.
On Wednesday, Justice Sathish Ninan ordered release of the vessel after a memo was filed in court stating that "disputes have since been settled between the parties and that the suit may be dismissed as withdrawn".
"Permission granted. The Admiralty suit is dismissed as withdrawn. The interim order of arrest will stand consequently withdrawn. The vessel is hereby ordered to be released. The Cochin Port Trust shall be intimated accordingly," the court said.
While ordering detention of the vessel on Monday, the court had said the ship -- MV MAIA-1 -- needs to either deposit an amount of USD 23,503.14, which is equivalent to approximately Rs 18,68,499.63, due to the plaintiff or furnish a security for the said amount to the satisfaction of the court.
The Estonian company was directed to furnish a counter security for an amount of Rs 5,00,000 within a period of two weeks.
On Tuesday (July 19), the Russian embassy had taken up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and requested for an "explanation" of the circumstances of the incident.
The Russian embassy had, in response to media queries, also said that military cargo for the Indian armed forces was delivered on board that vessel.
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Patna-bound IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Lucknow due to bad weather
Lucknow (PTI): Adverse weather forced an IndiGo Kolkata-Patna flight to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Friday, airport sources said.
According to airport officials, weather conditions in Patna deteriorated suddenly on Friday afternoon, affecting flight operations.
IndiGo flight 6E 6917 from Kolkata, which was scheduled to land in Patna at 3.50 pm, could not land due to bad weather and kept circling in the air after failing to get clearance from air traffic control, they said.
The flight was later diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 5.15 pm. There were 180 passengers and six crew members on board, officials said.
The aircraft was later allowed to depart for Patna after weather conditions improved.
