A ship will be arrested in Kerala for its sibling's debts. Here's how and why
The MSC Akiteta II, owned by MSC Shipping Co, was detained at Vizhinjam port to secure compensation for the environmental damage caused by its sibling ship, the MSC Elsa III.The MSC Elsa III, carrying 643 cargo containers, sank off Kerala's coast in the second week of May 24. The accident caused extensive environmental damage, with the Kerala Environment Department flagging an "enormous" ecological impact, reported news agency PTI.Days after the accident, tiny plastic pellets (nurdles) were found on beaches in Thiruvananthapuram, which experts said had serious implications for marine and coastal ecosystems, and humans.This prompted the state government to seek hefty compensation from the shipping group that owns both vessels.After the accident, three cashew-importing companies in June approached the Kerala High Court seeking compensation for their losses in the shipwreck. Following which, based on the court order, another sister vessel, MSC Manasa F, was briefly arrested but released after the owners deposited Rs 6 crore.On Monday, the Kerala High Court, acting on the claims of damages, ordered to detain the MSC Akiteta II, a sister vessel operated by the same company, to ensure the owners addressed the financial and environmental fallout.NOT THE FIRST ARREST OF A SHIP IN INDIAHowever, this isn't the first time a ship has been arrested in India. The practice, though rare, has precedents.In 2020, a vessel with the Bahamas flag was arrested in Mumbai linked to its unpaid port dues.In 2021, another ship was detained in Chennai for damages caused in an oil spill.HOW LAWS ENABLE ARRESTS OF SHIPS IN INDIAThese arrests or detentions of vessels are enabled by India's maritime laws, which seek to ensure accountability, especially when environmental or financial stakes are high.The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017 allows courts to order law enforcement agencies to detain vessels owned by the same entity to secure claims arising from maritime incidents, including environmental damage or cargo loss.advertisementSection 4 of the Act empowers courts to hold sister ships liable, provided they share common ownership, as seen in the MSC case.The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986 also empower Indian authorities to take action against polluters in its territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometres) from its coastline.Moreover, the quasi-judicial body dedicated to environmental protection in India, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), can also address cases seeking compensation for environmental damages.The recent arrest of the MSC Akiteta II is in line with India's maritime and environmental laws, which together are mandated to hold global shipping giants accountable for local ecological damage.- Ends
IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
26 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Radhika Yadav murder: Father threatened to kill either himself or daughter days before crime
A recent update in the Gurugram tennis player murder case revealed that 25-year-old Radhika Yadav's father had earlier threatened to kill either himself or Radhika over their disagreement on her running a tennis was three days after threatening her that the father, Deepak Yadav, shot Radhika dead in their house, reported the Times of accused, who held a licensed pistol, shot five bullets to kill the daughter. At the time of the crime, which took place on Thursday around 10.30 am, the player was cooking food at the kitchen. She suffered three bullet shots that soon left her autopsy pointed out that Deepak fired all shots from and his daughter had an argument about her tennis academy and its finances. .Who is Radhika Yadav, 25-year-old tennis player killed after her father fired 5 bullets at father didn't want her to run the academy, but she decided otherwise despite been him insisting for two weeks on shutting it down. During an argument three days before shooting Radhika, the father threatened to kill himself or her. As she repeatedly refused to close her academy, Deepak shot police interrogations, he claimed he spent Rs 2 crore on her tennis career. She was cremated on Friday evening, a day after her father murdered her. Who was Radhika Yadav?Radhika Yadav, aged 25, was an ace tennis player who lived in Gurugram. She was shot dead by her father. She was described as one of the country's emerging talents, with an international ranking of 113. She was proudly on 5th rank in Haryana in the Women's Doubles category. Radhika was reportedly fond of engaging in reels. Initial case details even suggested that she was killed over her interest towards social media, but later investigation revealed the real reason was around tennis career.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Project, kajal, deedar: Chhangur Baba's codewords for conversion revealed
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a web of coded language used by self-styled godman Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba to orchestrate a massive illegal religious conversion racket, with young women often being the primary to ATS sources, Chhangur used innocuous-sounding codewords to hide the true nature of his activities during conversations with aides. In this secret lingo, 'project' referred to the targeted girls, 'mitti palatna' meant religious conversion, and 'kajal karna' implied mentally influencing or manipulating someone. When he said 'deedar', he was referring to an arranged meeting with say that through these coded exchanges, Chhangur Baba promised marriage and a new life post-conversion, often luring women with dreams of jobs, scholarships, or opportunities abroad. Some were even told they'd receive free education at Islamic seminaries or help to find work overseas - particularly in Gulf countries. Mentions of contacts in Nepal and the Middle East were used to build credibility and expand the network. The revelations are part of a larger investigation into a well-funded conversion syndicate. Chhangur Baba is already under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering and accumulation of illegal wealth estimated at over Rs 100 crore. The ED believes he used foreign donations, much of it routed through illegal hawala channels via Nepal, to fund mass conversions, particularly targeting underprivileged Hindu allege Chhangur Baba operated from the Chand Auliya Dargah and had opened over 100 bank accounts across India and Nepal. Nearly Rs 500 crore in foreign funding was received over three years, with Rs 300 crore allegedly funneled in illegally through border districts like Kathmandu and Banke, and Rs 200 crore verified through official routes. These funds are suspected to have come from Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the ATS arrested Chhangur Baba and his close aide Neetu alias Nasreen on July 5 from a hotel in Lucknow. Both remain in custody. Investigators found 40 bank accounts holding Rs 106 crore linked to Chhangur and are examining digital devices to trace his financial and communication state government has begun cracking down on properties linked to the accused. A Rs 5 crore, 40-room mansion illegally built by Chhangur Baba in Balrampur was razed using bulldozers, while other assets in Bahraich and surrounding districts are also under Minister Yogi Adityanath has labelled Chhangur Baba's activities as ATS, ED and central agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are now collaborating to map the full extent of his operation, both in India and abroad.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Illegal religious conversion a deep conspiracy against nation, will not be tolerated: CM Yogi
. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that illegal religious conversions are part of a deep-rooted conspiracy against the nation and society, and declared that such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He made these remarks while inaugurating the 'Shri Tegh Bahadur Sandesh Yatra'--a tribute marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji--at his official residence in Lucknow. CM Yogi Adityanath carried the Guru Granth Sahib Ji on his head as he welcomed the yatra with flower petals and said that some forces are systematically attempting to alter the fabric of the nation through illegal conversions. He highlighted the recent action taken in Balrampur, where a large-scale conversion racket was busted. He said that the state government has exposed a network involved in forced religious conversions, funded by foreign sources. CM Yogi Adityanath said, "We have proceeded with a huge investigation in Balrampur. You must have seen he (Jalaluddin alias Chhingur Baba) had fixed rates (for conversion)... He was receiving foreign funding. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo Transactions of more than Rs 100 crores were found in his 40 bank accounts..." Describing these developments as a threat to both social and financial security, the Chief Minister asserted that converting Scheduled Caste individuals by luring or intimidating them is unconstitutional and violates the spirit of social harmony. "Such acts aim to break society and harm communal amity," Yogi said, adding that strict action is being taken against those involved. The Sandesh Yatra, which began from Lucknow, will travel through Kanpur, Etawah, Agra, and culminate at Delhi's historic Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, where Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect the Sanatan Dharma. Recalling the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, CM Yogi said, "This yatra revives the memory of those difficult times under the tyrannical rule of Aurangzeb, who sought to extinguish Sanatan Dharma and impose Islamic rule. Guru Tegh Bahadur chose martyrdom rather than abandon his principles, offering a timeless message of courage and sacrifice." CM Yogi said, "... Guru Tegh Bahadur Maharaj sacrificed his life to protect Sanatan Dharma. Through this program, his journey and the entire history of 350 years is being brought to life... What must that era have been like when a cruel and barbaric ruler like Aurangzeb existed? During that time, news of atrocities came from everywhere. Aurangzeb's aim was to eradicate Sanatan Dharma. In his massive campaign of Islamization, the first challenge he faced was from Guru Tegh Bahadur Maharaj. .." He stressed that no community or individual should be pressured into renouncing their culture or faith. "The legacy of Sikh Gurus--built on sacrifice and valour--must be preserved and integrated into modern strategies to safeguard our cultural identity," he said. The Chief Minister also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to officially observe December 26 as 'Veer Bal Diwas'. He noted that events like the 550th Prakash Parv and Bal Diwas are now being celebrated at the national level. Also present at the event were State Minister Baldev Singh Aulakh, MLC Sardar Hari Singh Dhillon, Minority Commission member Sardar Parvinder Singh, Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee General Secretary Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, and other dignitaries.
