The fate of Master Laxman Dubey, navigator of the ill-fated MV Khalijia III, will be decided by the Ballard Pier Court on December 18, when the verdict in the over six-year-long trial will be pronounced. The matter was adjourned for judgment to December 18 on Wednesday by JC Dhengale, Metropolitan Magistrate, who had been hearing the case since the beginning.

According to the Yellow Gate police, Dubey, 59, was charge-sheeted in the year 2012 for the incident that happened in August 2010. Charges were framed under IPC sections 280 (rash navigation of vessel), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and for causing environmental pollution under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Environment Protection Act. All the offences carry punishment of less than seven years and the accused are tried by the Metropolitan Magistrate court.