Blow To Centre: Supreme Court Stays Dismantling Of Iconic Warship INS Viraat

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the dismantling of INS Viraat, the famous decommissioned warship of the Indian Navy.

The top court was hearing a petition by a firm, seeking to convert INS Viraat into a maritime museum and a multi-functional adventure centre.

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde-headed bench issued notices to the Centre and others seeking their response on a petition filed by a firm which wants to convert INS Viraat into a maritime museum and a multi-functional adventure centre.

Previously under the Royal Navy and known as HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier was sold to the Indian Navy in 1987 when it was rechristened as INS Viraat. After being in service for 29 years, it was decommissioned in March 2017.

The Union government informed Parliament in July 2019 that it had been decided to dismantle INS Viraat after consultation with the top brass of Indian Navy.

Last December, the Centre gave the final go-ahead for dismantling following which a part of the warship has already been scrapped.

The firm in question had proposed a price of Rs 100 crore to buy the aircraft carrier.