Delhi HC allows CFSAI to be party in container release case. Directions issued for minor and major ports.

The Delhi High Court allowed the applications filed by the Container Freight Stations Association of India (CFSAI) seeking impleadment as a party respondent. CFSAI is directed to be impleaded, and the petitioner must file an amended memo of parties. The judgment provides directions for releasing containers from Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in minor ports, allowing the petitioner to release containers on payment of charges. Compliance with directions for major ports is to be ensured, with the case listed for further proceedings in July 2020.

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Issues involved:
1. Impleadment of Container Freight Stations Association of India (CFSAI) as a party respondent.
2. Directions regarding release of containers and compliance by Container Freight Stations (CFSs) in major ports.

Impleadment of CFSAI as a party respondent:
The judgment addresses the applications filed by the Container Freight Stations Association of India (CFSAI) seeking impleadment as a party respondent due to the wide-ranging implications the issues raised in the petition would have on Container Freight Stations (CFS). The applications are allowed, and CFSAI is impleaded as a party respondent. The petitioner is directed to file an amended memo of parties within one week from the date of the judgment.

Directions regarding release of containers and compliance by CFSs in major ports:
The judgment provides directions regarding the release of containers from Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in minor ports. The petitioner is granted liberty to have their containers released on payment of charges demanded by such CFSs/ICDs, subject to the outcome of the present petition. Concerning CFSs/ICDs in major ports, the respondent no. 1 is ensuring compliance with the direction dated 23.04.2020. The case is listed for further proceedings on 23rd July, 2020 along with another related case.

This judgment by the Delhi High Court, delivered by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Navin Chawla, addresses the impleadment of the Container Freight Stations Association of India (CFSAI) as a party respondent and provides directions regarding the release of containers from CFSs and ICDs in minor and major ports. The applications filed by CFSAI are allowed, and the petitioner is directed to file an amended memo of parties. The petitioner is granted liberty to release containers on payment of charges in minor ports, while compliance with directions is ensured for major ports. The case is scheduled for further proceedings in July 2020.

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