Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar directed the Shipping Ministry and Tamil Nadu Police to finalise their investigation and take appropriate action, not later than three months from today.
The judge directed Mumbai-based Pratibha Shipping Company Limited to pay Rs 24,45,300 (to legal heirs of deceased Anand Mohan), Rs 18,00,000 (each to the legal heirs of deceased Joman Joseph and Krishna C Puthiya Purayil) and Rs 9,00,000 (each to legal heirs of deceased K Niranjan, Khamitkar Raj Ramesh and Rushabh Jadhav).
The company has to deposit the amount within four weeks, after deducting Rs 30 lakh already deposited, before the Court Registrar General, who will disburse the respective amounts on production of the legal heir certificate, he said.
"The legal heirs of the six deceased crew members are at liberty to approach the appropriate forum for determining further compensation payable," the judge said.
The shipping company is also directed to either deposit a further sum of Rs five crore or bank guarantee for the said amount for three years or give immovable property security worth Rs five crore to the satisfaction of the Registrar General before moving or selling the vessel from the territorial jurisdiction of the court, the order said.
As for the arrears amount, the judge directed the company to calculate the admitted arrears of salary payable till the end of October, 2012 to petitioners within four weeks.
"In case of any dispute regarding the quantum of arrears of salary payable to petitioners they are at liberty to approach the appropriate forum to prove their claim," he said.
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The relatives of victims had approached the Court seeking a direction to the shipping company to pay an interim compensation.
MT Pratibha Cauvery ran aground near here on October 31, when cyclone 'Nilam' hit the coast of Tamil Nadu. Six crew members after they attempted to board a fibre boat and reach the shore.