Cuttack, August 21: The Orissa high court on Tuesday ordered for sale of the arrest bulk carrier MV Debi for not depositing berth hiring dues.
Earlier, the High Court had directed to arrest the Indonasian ship for not depositing dues of Rs 7.95 crore towards berth hiring of the Paradip International Cargo Terminal.
Justice V Narasingh of Orissa high court ordered for sale of the ship observing that the valuation of the cargo vessel will depreciate if it remains anchored at the port.
The High Court has appointed deputy registrar (judicial) as the commissioner for sale of the ship. The Commissioner will assign Adonia Offshore Consultants Pvt Ltd for valuation of the ship, the court ordered.
The petitioner will have to deposit Rs 3 lakh before the registrar (judicial) of Orissa High Court by August 22 for sale of the vessel and its related activities, the court ordered.
The petitioner will get return back the deposit money after sale of the ship, the court clarified in its order.
Notably, the MV Debi, with Panama flag, arrived at Paradip port from Gresik Port in Indonesia on November 29 last year. Based on intelligence that few suspected packets of drugs are concealed in the ship, the customs officers searched the ship the next day and seized 22.2 kg of cocaine from the ship, the market value of which is estimated at Rs 220 crores.
