HC orders sale of ship M T Pratibha Cauvery

Madras High Court today ordered the sale of M T Pratibha Cauvery whose six crew members were killed after the vessel ran aground near here on October 31 last.
The ship was detained in Chennai port, after family members of one of the crew members filed a case in the court seeking compensation from the ship owners.
After bringing about a settlement acceptable to the kin of the six drowned marine engineers, 21 other crew members, who survived the mishap, and the ship owners, Justice R Sudhakar ordered that advertisements be placed in newspapers for bidding and the last date for receipt of offers is April 25.

On that day the bids would be opened in the court.
The judge rejected the request for private sale and said open tender would ensure more transparency and best price for the vessel.
He said an advertisement should be given on April 19/20 and bids received till 1 pm on April 25 and the tenders would be opened at 3.15pm the same day.
Prospective buyers should submit a demand draft of Rs 30 lakh as earnest money deposit, he said.