The Supreme Court Thursday said the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC) will continue to operate the high-end luxury train Maharaja Express after the railways terminated its arrangement with travel agency Cox and Kings for jointly operating and managing India's first pan-country super luxury train.
The apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J. Chelameswar passed the interim order after it declined the plea by senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi appearing for the travel agency to stay the Jan 6 Delhi High Court verdict allowing the IRCTC to operate the train.
Issuing notice to the IRCTC, the apex court said that the high court order permitting it to operate the Maharaja Express would continue.
The court fixed Feb 9 as the next date of hearing, asking the IRCTC to file its reply. Cox and King was told to file its rejoinder once the IRCTC reply was filed.
The apex court gave its interim order allowing the continuation of the operation Maharaja Express by IRCTC after Solicitor General Rohinton Nariman told the court that the IRCTC was the owner of the train and had spent nearly Rs.50 crore on luxury fittings.
