As per case facts, JSW Steel, importing iron ore via barges, faced a situation where one barge, M.V. Satyam, sank, obstructing port navigation. The Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) issued a ... notice under Section 14 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, demanding JSW Steel remove the wreck and pay for salvage, treating it as the vessel's owner. JSW Steel contended it merely hired services and was not the owner, with another entity being the actual owner. The question arose whether the petitioner, not being the registered owner or 'disponent owner' of the barge, could be held liable for the wreckage removal under Section 14 of the Indian Ports Act. Finally, the Court held that JSW Steel was not the owner and thus not liable under Section 14. It found MPT's actions arbitrary for not following the statutory procedure and for belatedly trying to rely on other legal provisions or principles without proper justification. The Court allowed the petition, directing MPT to refund the deposited amount with interest.