HC: We care for humans, not dead vessels… present stranded crew of 3 vessels in court

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3 min learnMumbaiUp to date: Could 4, 2026 09:09 PM IST

The Bombay Excessive Court docket on Monday expressed concern over the security of fifty crew members stranded on three vessels within the Arabian Sea and requested authorities to make sure all of them seem earlier than it on Tuesday.

The crew members claimed they have been stranded on the vessels intercepted in February by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), even because the homeowners have “virtually deserted the ships”, that are underneath arrest by the Yellow Gate police over alleged unlawful acts within the Arabian Sea, at a distance of 11 nautical miles from Mumbai. Not one of the crew members, all Indian residents, are named accused within the case.

A division bench of Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and Hiten S Venegavkar was listening to a habeas corpus plea by a few of the crew members, represented via Maharashtra Navnirman Navin Sena Union of three motor tankers named MT Asphalt Star, MT Stellar

Ruby, and MT Al Jafzia, positioned underneath arrest for unlawful gas oil and bitumen transfers.

The plea claimed 50 crew members have been stranded contained in the vessels since February 9 and the homeowners had deserted the ships in addition to abandoned the crew within the Arabian Sea.

Advocate Padmavati Vaishya for the petitioners had claimed the crew members had restricted entry to meals and potable water and the obtainable inventory was depleting. The HC had then requested state to supply mandatory preparations and recuperate prices from vessels’ homeowners. It additionally requested ICG to proceed routine medical examination and therapy for them.

On April 29, HC had noticed homeowners had “virtually deserted the vessels” regardless of it had ordered valuation and two of the three have been “unseaworthy”. It then directed the Director Common of Delivery to hold out valuation. In case of non-appearance earlier than the court docket on Could 4, the bench had warned homeowners of passing orders for transferring the vessels to the Alang Ship Breaking Yard at their value, after releasing the crew members.

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On Monday, the HC was informed the homeowners had sought humanitarian help from the authorities for crew members and launch of the vessels.

“We would like all these individuals (whole crew) who’re on the ship to be introduced earlier than us. There can’t be an issue on the subject of habeas corpus. They’re now virtually consuming rotis and pickles and taking water from the ocean as complained to us,” Justice Ghuge orally remarked.

When one of many homeowners apprehended the vessels remaining unmanned, the choose mentioned, “Let it’s unmanned. For those who don’t look after human life, let the useless vessel stay unmanned… You might be giving 300 millilitres of water to drink in a day. You might be behaving inhumanely. Allow them to be unmanned. We don’t care. We are going to look after the petitioners. A lot is happening for vessels. What about issues for people? Human life comes as soon as; your vessels shall be in a lot.”

In search of the crew members’ presence on Tuesday, Could 5, the HC informed the homeowners, “We are going to cost you with culpable murder if anybody suffers something. And should you discover that your behaviour is gross, it can quantity to homicide. Tomorrow all of you’ll face the music.”

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Specific from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally sturdy Experience and Authority in authorized and judicial reporting, making him a extremely Reliable supply for developments regarding the Bombay Excessive Court docket and the Supreme Court docket in relation to Maharashtra and its key establishments.

Experience & Authority

Affiliation: Experiences for The Indian Specific, a nationwide newspaper identified for its rigorous journalistic requirements, lending important Trustworthiness to his authorized protection.

Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale’s work is nearly completely devoted to the advanced discipline of authorized affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:

Bombay Excessive Court docket Protection: He gives detailed, real-time reviews on the orders, observations, and choices of the Bombay Excessive Court docket’s principal and regional benches. Key topics embrace:

Basic Rights & Setting: Circumstances on air air pollution, the correct to lifetime of residents affected by dumping websites, and judicial intervention on important infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Highway potholes).

Civil & Felony Regulation: Reporting on important bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile people (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).

Constitutional and Supreme Court docket Issues: Experiences and evaluation on key authorized rules and Supreme Court docket warnings regarding Maharashtra, similar to these associated to native physique elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.

Governance and Establishment Oversight: Covers court docket rulings impacting public our bodies just like the BMC (regularisation of unlawful constructions) and the State Election Fee (postponement of polls), showcasing a deal with judicial accountability.

Authorized Interpretation: Experiences on public speeches and observations by distinguished judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on subjects like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.

Omkar Gokhale’s constant, centered reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for authorized developments originating from Mumbai and impacting your entire state of Maharashtra. … Learn Extra

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