Truth behind US firm-owned ship detention, crew arrest after enquiry: GK Vasan

KUMBAKONAM (TN): The truth behind the detention of the US firm-owned ship and the arrest of its 35 crew members would come out after an enquiry into the matter, Shipping Minister G K Vasan said here today.


"All those arrested from the ship have been lodged at a prison in Palayamkottai. The truth will come out after a full enquiry. The law will take its own course," he told reporters here.

The ship flying the Sierra Leone flag was intercepted by Coast Guard in Indian waters 15 nautical miles off Tuticorin coast on October 12.

An FIR was registered against the 35 crew under the Arms Act for carrying arms without authorisation and Essential Commodities Act for buying 1,500 litres of diesel illegally with the help of a local shipping agent.