HC issues notice to Railway on Andhra Cargo Service's plea

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Railways on a petition alleging that the weighing of goods transported by rail to Karnataka was not proper.
The petition alleged that the 'in-motion weigh bridge', by which the Railways weigh the consignments loaded on a wagon, was not properly functioning and indicated overload on many occasions, forcing the transporters to pay a penalty, besides delaying the consignment.
"The overload goods were unloaded and again reweighed at the destination where it was found that the overload as claimed by the railways was false," the petition, filed by leasing firm Andhra Cargo Service, alleged.

It also said that it becomes "very difficult for the transporter to recover the amount deposited as penalty".
Advocate Amit Sahni, who appeared for the petitioner, submitted that on earlier occasions, a transporter was allowed to reweigh the consignment only after depositing penalty charges and other dues.
"Issue notice. Counter affidavit be filed within four weeks. Rejoinder, if any, be filed within three weeks thereafter," a bench of Justice A K Chawla said and posted the matter for hearing on October 11.