Mumbai:The Mumbai harbour witnessed high drama as a South Korean ship was forced to return as it attempted to leave the shores defying a Bombay High Court notice on consignment unloading, sources said today.
The captain of the South Korean vessel MV Han Splendor tried to speed away last night after court officers served the legal notice, but a Coast Guard vessel intercepted the ship and brought it back to the harbour, they said.
The notice has been served after an Indian steel firm moved the court not to allow the ship to leave the harbour until its consignment was unloaded at the contracted price.
"The court issued an order stating that the ship cannot leave the harbour without the permission of the Coast Guard and the high court," a senior police official said.
Yesterday three officials, two from the police and a bailiff, boarded the Korean vessel anchored near Alibag from a Coast Guard vessel to serve the document.
However, the captain of the vessel decided to weigh anchor and leave the city s harbour and the private firm arranged for a fishing boat to allow the Indian trio to disembark, they said.
As the Han Splendor attempted to leave, the Coast Guard vessel deployed there established radio contact with the Korean vessel and forced it to return to its original position, sources said.
After high drama in mid sea for over a couple of hours the ship was brought back to the harbour, they said.
The ship is to stay in the harbour pending the final order of the high court, police officials said.
