RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE Vs. U O I

JUDGEMENT

(1.) From the fifth quarterly report of March 2005 filed by the Monitoring Committee it seems that the waste oil contained in 133 containers has not been destroyed in terms of the directions of this Court dated 5.1.2005. The reason for it is non-payment of cost of incineration by the importers. None of them have made the payment, though the direction was to deposit cost of incineration within four weeks from the order dated 5.1.2005. Though the aspect of non-payment is very serious yet the destruction of the waste oil cannot be any more delayed. We, therefore direct the immediate destruction of the waste oil in terms of the order dated 5-1 -2005 by the Monitoring Committee. For the present, the cost of incineration would be borne by the Customs Department. The importers have not filed any application seeking extension of time to deposit the cost of incineration. Prima facie, it seems to be a case of serious disobedience of the orders of this Court. However, at this stage, we grant one final opportunity to the importers to deposit the cost of incineration with the Monitoring Committee within a period of two weeks failing which they shall remain present in the Court on 18.7.2005 and show cause why action for contempt be not taken against them. The Monitoring Committee shall file report about the factum of destruction of waste oil and the payment, if made by the importers. The empty containers after destruction of the oil would be handed over by the Monitoring Committee to the Customs Department who would retain them and will not release them to any party until further orders of this Court. List on 18.7.2005.

(2.) Despite our direction dated 5-1 -2005 neither the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust nor the Mumbai Port Trust nor the Commissioner of Customs Department has furnished requisite information as to 170 containers to the Monitoring Committee. The same was required to be furnished within four weeks from our order dated 5.1.2005. None of them have filed any application seeking extension of time or placing on record any further difficulty or material. We direct the Chairperson of Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust and Mumbai Port Trust and Chief Commissioner of Customs Department to file personal affidavits stating reasons for non-compliance with the order of this Court. Meanwhile, they may also furnish requisite information to the Monitoring Committee in terms of the order already passed.

(3.) The prayer made in IA No. 17 by some of the respondents i.e. Respondents 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 cannot be entertained. If they have any legal right to seek return of the containers they may proceed in accordance with law. IA is disposed of. As far as these persons are concerned, it is not necessary to issue formal notice of the aforesaid order of contempt to them. The notice has been accepted by their counsel.