Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has been directed by a Delhi court to pay over Rs four lakh to a city-based travel company which had alleged that he had failed to clear dues related to air travel abroad by him and his family seven years ago.
Additional District Judge Nivedita Anil Sharma directed Ganguly to pay Rs 4,15,317 with 12 per cent interest per annum to Trade Wings Limited, a travel firm located in Janpath area.
The court was hearing a civil suit filed in February 2009 by the company for recovery of the amount with an interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from Ganguly and his wife Dona.
The company claimed that it had provided tickets and other facilities to Ganguly and his family members, including his daughter for travel abroad.
The company, however admitted that after it had served a legal notice, Ganguly had paid an amount of Rs 42,376 but failed to clear the dues towards booking of air tickets in various airlines.
"A decree of Rs 4,15,317 with pendent lite and future interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the filing of the suit till the realisation is hereby passed in favour of the plaintiff (travel company)," said the court in a recent order.
"The evidence of the witness of the plaintiff and the documents produced and proved by him clearly shows that the rights of the plaintiff have been violated and it is entitled to decree of recovery of money. There appears to be no impediment in granting the relief to the plaintiff (company), as claimed in the petition," the court said.
Relying on the statement of senior accountant of the company, the judge said, "The defendant (Ganguly) has clearly admitted the liability to make the payment to the plaintiff although the amount to be paid by him has not been admitted.
"However, in such a situation it would have been appropriate that Ganguly himself calculated the amount to be paid by him. The plaintiff has been able to show its case only against Ganguly by producing the relevant documents regarding the admission of liability of Rs 415,317... interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum should be fair and should be paid," the court said.
