US firm claims vessel was not in Indian waters

TUTICORIN (TN): The company owning the seized US ship M V Seaman Guard Ohio today told a court here that the vessel neither strayed into Indian waters nor was there any illegality in carrying arms and ammunition by it.

Opposing the plea for seven days police custody of three of the 35 arrested crew members, counsel for AdvanFort submitted before the Judicial Magistrate Court I that the vessel was off the Indian territorial waters when it was detained on October 12.

When the matter was taken up for hearing by Magistrate C Kathiravan, counsel Anshuman Tiwari argued that there was no need for further custodial interrogation crew members as the Q Branch police had already completed several rounds of questioning besides preliminary probe by the Indian Coast Guard.

Claiming that the US vessel was "very much off the Indian territorial waters," the counsel said there was no illegality, whatsoever, in regard to the "ship or the arms" which he contended was for anti-piracy and providing maritime security.

Countering the argument, the state government advocate said that the ship had strayed well into Indian waters. Also there was no proper documents, or permission for the vessel.

Magistrate Kathiravan adjourned the matter to tomorrow for further hearing.