Kandla Port Trust vs Goodrich Maritime Pvt.Ltd.& Anr

The Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat High Court's decision to quash the demand for container storage charges and ground rent against the shipping agent, respondent No.1, who transported goods described as 'Heavy Metal Scrap' but actually contained war material. The Court emphasized that there was no contractual obligation between the shipping agent and the Kandla Port Trust, and the dispute involved questions of fact that required evidence, thus necessitating a civil court's jurisdiction. The Court affirmed that the learned Single Judge's dismissal of the special civil applications was appropriate, reinforcing the need for a proper legal remedy in such cases.