Delhi High Court fines Jet Airways for frivolous appeal

Court has slaaped a fine of Rs 50,000 on Jet Airways for continuing with an appeal after the airlines had already been held liable

The Delhi High Court reminded corporate establishments against engaging in frivolous litigations on Thursday, while slapping a cost of Rs 50,000 on Jet Airways for continuing with an appeal after the airlines had already been held liable for loss of goods by two lower courts.

The order by Justice Valmiki Mehta came in a case between Jet Airways and a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company, whose consignment of drugs had been lost by the airlines agent, Bangladesh Biman Airlines.

Jet Airways had approached the high court against a decision, awarding Rs 2,57,062 (along with 12 per cent interest) to the pharma firm. The airline had challenged the determination, stating that their liability was limited to the maximum permissible amount according to the Carriage by Air Act 1972.

The high court dismissed Jet's plea and held that limited liability could not be claimed in cases of willful misconduct, which was evident from the proceedings in the lower courts and the fact that the airline advanced no evidence to the contrary in the present appeal.