SC refuses to pass order banning entry of Norway

New Delhi, May 12 : The Supreme Court today referred to the court's appointed expert committee, the issue of entry of 'S S Norway' containing about 125 metric tonnes of toxic asbestos into Indian waters.

The ship is presently heading towards Alang port, where it will be broken into scrap.

A bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice Markandey Katju today refused to pass any order banning the entry of the ship into Indian territorial waters and directed that it would consider the issue of staying the entry of the ship after hearing the expert commitee's views on the matter.

Bangladesh has already refused the permission to the ship to enter its territorial waters.

The court adjourned the hearing till July.

The expert committee was appointed by the apex court to suggest guidelines for ship-breaking in future to ensure the safety of public health as well as environment protection. Earlier, the French government had to recall its ship containing similar toxic substance after it was not allowed to enter Indian territorial waters because of Supreme Court's intervention in a matter while hearing the present PIL.

UNI