- Indian captain Ajay Pant arrested in UK.
- Accused of transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
- Family seeks Indian government's intervention.
An Indian ship captain has been arrested in the United Kingdom after British forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel. The vessel, MV Smyrtos, is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships used to transport sanctioned oil.
The captain, 38-year-old Ajay Pant from Nainital in Uttarakhand, was taken into custody after the ship entered UK territorial waters without a valid national flag. British authorities accuse him of helping transport Russian oil in violation of UK sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine war.
Indian captain could face 10 years in prison
Pant appeared before a magistrates’ court in Southampton via video link on June 16. He has been charged with illegally supplying or delivering Russian oil to a third country. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
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His lawyer, James Diamond, argued that Pant was simply doing his job and had no control over the ship’s destination or cargo. “He was following orders from the company and is just an employee,” the lawyer told the court.
According to prosecutors, Royal Marines and officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the tanker on June 14. Pant, who was identified as the vessel’s master, was arrested and later remanded in custody. The case has now been transferred to Bournemouth Crown Court, where the next hearing is scheduled for July 16.
Pant's family seeks government help
Back in India, Pant’s family has appealed to the government for help. Uttarakhand Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said the state government has contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and requested assistance in securing Pant’s release and return.
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The Indian High Commission in the UK has been granted consular access to Pant. His wife, Ritu, said she learned about the arrest through social media and British news reports. She described her husband as an experienced sailor with a spotless 15-year career and insisted he was not at fault.
The tanker had loaded more than 1 lakh tonnes of Russian crude oil at Ust-Luga port and was reportedly heading to Sikka port in Gujarat. The ship had recently lost its Cameroonian flag registration, making it effectively stateless. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the operation “another blow to Russia.”
(With inputs from agency)