Writ relief for recovery of unpaid shed charges was held maintainable against a public authority withholding the balance unjustifiably

The writ petitioners were entitled to recover the unpaid balance of shed charges from the Airport Authority because the charges were found to be plainly payable and the Authority, as a public body, had no justification to withhold the balance. The court treated writ relief as maintainable for recovery in these circumstances, rather than requiring the petitioners to file a separate civil suit. The petitioners were therefore entitled to payment of the outstanding sum, with interest accruing only if the principal amount was not paid within one month.

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Issues: Whether the writ petitioners were entitled to recover the unpaid balance of shed charges from the Airport Authority and whether writ relief was maintainable for such recovery.

Analysis: The goods had been released pursuant to an earlier judicial order under which customs duty was payable but detention charges were not to be borne by the writ petitioners. Although the shed charges were initially paid and only a part was refunded, the remaining balance was found to be plainly payable by the Airport Authority. As a public authority withholding the balance without justification, the Authority was amenable to writ relief for recovery, rather than driving the petitioners to a separate civil suit.

Conclusion: The writ petitioners were entitled to payment of the outstanding sum of Rs. 56,579, with interest only if the principal amount was not paid within one month.

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