A public interest litigation (PIL) Monday sought before the
Bombay High Court that India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant be
converted into a national museum instead of being sold as scrap metal. The PIL also
sought quashing and setting aside of the tender issued by the Centre for
scrapping the historical ship. The court has directed all the respondents to
file a reply by January 8.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S
Sanklecha was hearing the PIL filed by activist Kiran Paigankar as a convener
of INS Vikrant Bachao Movement.
Advocate Shekhar Jagtap, appearing for the petitioner,
informed the court that INS Vikrant played a vital role in protecting the sea
borders of India during the war against Pakistan in 1971. The ship has received
two Paramveer Chakras and several civilian awards, he told the court.
Citing the Antiquities And Art Treasures Act, 1972 Jagtap
also pleaded that INS Vikrant could get the status of "antiquity" if
preserved and not scrapped.
The PIL states that the Centre had issued a disposal policy
for warships and submarines dated August 19, 2010, whereby the decommissioned
ships and submarines could be disposed either by scrapping or by converting
into a museum. Jagtap, therefore, pleaded before the court that the Centre,
Indian Coast Guard and the Western Naval Command be directed to convert the
legendary ship into a museum for training and recreational purposes.
The lawyer representing the Ministry of Defence informed the
court that it had recently received a proposal submitted by Maharashtra
Maritime Board for conversion of INS Vikrant into a museum, and the same was
under consideration. The lawyer also said that a decision was likely by January
29.
The court directed all the respondents, including the Naval
department, Urban Development Department and Department of Tourism and Culture
to file their affidavits by January 8. The next date of hearing of the case is
January 16
Source: Indian express. 17 December 2013
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