The Calcutta High Court on Monday admitted a plea by the Kolkata Port Trust seeking recall of its earlier order, which had dismissed an application seeking a direction to Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) to resume cargo handling operations.

The application, made by the KoPT, had been dismissed as withdrawn last Friday on the back of a ‘misunderstanding’ between the KoPT and its counsel.

Justice Soumen Sen admitted KoPT’s fresh petition for recall of the earlier order. He said the matter will be taken up after the Puja vacation.

Interestingly, the port’s plea (for recall) was opposed by the counsel appearing on behalf of the West Bengal Government, according to the port’s counsel Arunava Ghosh. HBT, which has already announced its decision to withdraw operations from the Haldia Dock Complex, also opposed the plea, he said.

“HBT has illegally, arbitrarily and with mala fide intention abandoned the contract. Kolkata Port Trust will now take its legal course against HBT, as available to it under the law,” a KoPT release issued on Monday said.

The port authorities, meanwhile, wrote to the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday, refuting the allegations levelled by HBT.

The Chamber had on November 1 written to the Centre, State Government and ABG to resolve the ongoing tussle between the port and ABG. “We have received a seven-page letter from KoPT clarifying their stand on the issues,” Kallol Datta, President, BCCI, said.

abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in

ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in