Qatar Airways says it can't be sued without GoI permission

MUMBAI: Qatar Airways today argued before the Bombay High Court that real estate major Shapoorji Pallonji cannot sue it without the permission of Union of India, as the airline, owned by the ruler of Qatar, enjoyed the legal status of `foreign state' under the Civil Procedure Code.

The airline, which has filed appeal against the order of a single judge, contends that the judge was wrong to hold that permission of Union Government was not necessary because it did not fall within the purview of section 86(4) of CPC.

Airline's lawyer, advocate K J Presswala, argued today that Qatar Airways was owned by the ruler of Qatar, and was a "foreign state" under section 86(1).

The division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar asked the Airline to produce material to back this claim, and adjourned the hearing till September 11.

Shapoorji Pallonji has filed a suit against Qatar Airways in the High Court, claiming Rs 60 lakh for the contract to carry out interior work at the airline's offices in Delhi and Hyderabad.

Justice Anoop Mohta, on March 15, had rejected the airline's plea that the suit be dismissed.