JUDGMENT :

Per S.V.Bhatti, J.

Heard Learned Advocates Santhosh Mathew and V.M.Syamkumar for appellants and Advocates Pooja Menon, Alias M Cherian, and Denu Joseph for respondents.

2. The 1st and the 2nd defendants in O.S. No.105 of 2000 on the file of the Principal Subordinate Judge's Court, Kochi are the appellants in these two appeals. 1st defendant is the appellant in R.F.A. No.673 of 2004 and 2nd defendant is the appellant in R.F.A. No.672 of 2004. Both the appeals arise from the judgment dated 30.06.2004 in O.S. No.105 of 2000. This Court for convenience refers to the parties as plaintiff and defendants as arrayed in O.S. No.105 of 2000.

2.1 Cargo Care International, a registered partnership firm with its branch office at Kochi is the plaintiff. The plaintiff is the agent of Al Shahal Shipping Est. Abu Dhabi, U.A.E/ 3rd defendant. Defendant Nos. 6 to 11 were Non-Resident Indians (NRI) from the State of Kerala, living at that point of time in Abu Dubai, U.A.E. Defendant Nos.6 to 11 hav