Orissa High Court Orders Arrest of Cargo Ship MV Debi Over Seized Cocaine Worth Rs 220 Crore

Suparjya Swain February 24, 2024

112 1 minute read

Paradip: The Orissa High Court has issued an order for the arrest of the Panama-registered cargo ship MV Debi, currently anchored at Paradip port in Jagatsinghpur district. The court’s decision comes in response to an admiralty suit filed by Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) seeking recovery of dues and penal charges.

Justice V Narasingh, presiding over the case, passed the order on Friday, directing the arrest of MV Debi under Section 5(1) of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017. PICT, the plaintiff in the suit, had requested the court to decree a payment of Rs 7.95 crore towards berth and penal berth charges owed by the cargo ship.

In an interim order, Justice Narasingh emphasized the need to arrest the vessel to prevent the suit from becoming ineffectual. “PICT has prima facie established the necessity for the arrest of the vessel to safeguard its interests,” stated the judge.

As per the court’s directive, MV Debi is to be arrested at Paradip Port, with the plaintiff authorized to communicate the order along with a letter from the Marshal of the High Court. The plaintiff has also been granted liberty to serve the warrant of arrest within the next 24 hours.

The court has scheduled March 7 for further consideration of PICT’s maritime claim against MV Debi, setting the stage for a crucial legal battle over the recovery of dues and penalties.

MV Debi made headlines in December 2023 when authorities seized cocaine worth Rs 220 crore from the ship. This incident drew widespread attention and raised concerns over maritime security and the transportation of illicit substances through ports.

Earlier this month, a special NDPS court at Kujang in Jagatsinghpur district had demanded a hefty guarantee of Rs 110 crore for the release of MV Debi, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the legal complexities surrounding the seized cargo ship.

The Orissa High Court’s decision to order the arrest of MV Debi reflects the judiciary’s commitment to upholding maritime law and ensuring accountability in cases of maritime claims and disputes. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders await further developments in this high-profile case, which holds implications for the maritime industry and law enforcement efforts against illicit activities at sea.