Judicial remand of US ship crew extended till Feb 14

Tuticorin: A local court on Friday extended till February 14 the remand of the 35 crew members of a private US ship, who were arrested on charges of carrying weapons illegally and straying into Indian waters. The crew of MV Seaman Ohio were arrested by Tamil Nadu Police after the ship was intercepted by Coast Guard on October 18.

They were booked under the Arms Act and also the Essential Commodities Act for "illegal" purchase of diesel from local agents. Judicial Magistrate C Kathiravan extended their remand after hearing arguments through video-conferencing, as the crew are lodged in Chennai Puzhal prison and Palyamkottai. 22 foreign nationals among the crew are lodged in the Chennai Puzhal Central prison, while another from UK and 12 Indians are in the Palayamkottai Central Prison in neighbouring Tirunelveli under judicial remand.