Apex court puts on hold further dismantling of INS Viraat

Why In News?

The Supreme Court put on hold the further dismantling of INS Viraat, the iconic aircraft carrier decommissioned by the Indian Navy following a plea by a Thane-based group (the petition filed by M/s Envitech Marine Consultants Private Limited) which wants to buy it and convert it into a maritime museum.

The group had earlier approached the Bombay High Court with its request. The High Court asked the Defence Ministry to take a decision on their representation for a No Objection Certificate from the government to acquire it. The ministry, however, rejected their request for NOC, following which the group approached the Supreme Court.

What Supreme Court order on INS Viraat means to Alang shipbreaker? 

After the Supreme Court ordered a “status quo” with regard to the dismantling of India’s decommissioned aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, the shipbreaker has halted all breaking activities at the Alang shipbreaking yard in Gujarat.   It will hurt the ship-breaking company financially if the dismantling gets delayed.

What was the Supreme Court order?

Issuing notice on a petition filed by M/s Envitech Marine Consultants Pvt Ltd, which wants to buy INS Viraat and convert it into a museum, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said, “In the meantime, parties are directed to maintain status quo with regard to dismantling/breaking of the subject ship, known as INS Viraat, as on date.”

Background:

INS Viraat had originally entered service with the Royal British Navy as HMS Hermes in 1959 before it was sold to India in the 80s. After being in service for nearly 30 years, the Indian Navy decommissioned the warship in 2017.

On September 28, 2020, the ship was docked at Alang, and in a formal ceremony organised by Shree Ram Group, Union Minister for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya and Rear Admiral Puruvir Das, the Flag Officer Commanding, Gujarat Naval Area, had bid adieu to the vessel.