Key points
- Sixteen Indian seafarers detained since December
- Ten crew members jailed in Iran
- Families seek urgent government intervention
NEW DELHI: Families of 16 Indian seafarers detained in Iran since December have appealed for urgent government intervention, expressing growing anxiety as tensions in the region remain high.
According to the BBC, Iranian authorities seized the oil tanker MT Valiant Roar on 8 December while it was in international waters, alleging it was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of illegal diesel.
The vessel is operated by Dubai-based Prime Tankers LLC, which has denied the accusations, insisting it was transporting marine fuel.
The crew includes 16 Indians, along with one Bangladeshi and one Sri Lankan national. Documents submitted by India’s foreign ministry to the Delhi High Court state that 10 Indian crew members have been arrested and transferred to Bandar Abbas prison, while the remaining six are still on board the ship.
The ministry confirmed it has gained consular access to the jailed men and is seeking permission to meet those still confined on the vessel.
Safe return
Relatives allege the crew are being held in cramped conditions with limited food and potable water, and that most communication devices have been confiscated. Concerns have also been raised over unsanitary conditions on the tanker due to failing generators.
The ship’s owner, Jugwinder Brar, said protests in Iran had delayed legal access and claimed the seizure was based on mistaken assumptions about the vessel’s ownership. His companies are also subject to US sanctions linked to alleged oil transport networks.
Families have urged authorities to secure the crew’s safe return, arguing that cargo disputes should not result in workers being imprisoned.
