HC grants bail to 33 crew of US ship

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court today granted conditional bail to the 33 crew members of US ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, arrested on charges of carrying weapons illegally and straying into Indian waters.
Justice R S Ramanathan, however denied bail to Captain of the ship Dudinik Valentyn and vice-captain Paul David Dennis Towers.
R Munithevan, a local, accused of suppling 1,500 litres of diesel illegally to the ship was also granted bail by the court.
The court directed the 33 crew members that they should stay in Chennai, present before Mylapore Police station twice in the morning and evening to sign the register.

The US firm owned ship was detained by the Indian coast Guard authorities for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line on October 18 at Tutirocin Port.
On inspection, the authorities had found that the ship carried arms and ammunitions, and cases under Arms Act were registered against them.
Among the crew 12 are Indians.