SC hears PIL over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Black Sea amid Russia-Ukraine war
During the hearing, the counsel alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had not taken adequate steps to ascertain the fate of the sailors. The Centre, however, told the court that Indian embassies were following up on the matter with the embassies of Ukraine…
During the hearing, the counsel alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had not taken adequate steps to ascertain the fate of the sailors. The Centre, however, told the court that Indian embassies were following up on the matter with the embassies of.
The counsel told the bench that the Romanian ambassador had stated that no search-and-rescue operation had been carried out after July 26. Chief Justice of India observed that the matter involved an "unfortunate situation" in which a seaman had gone missing amid a hostile.
What Happened
"Do you want us to send Delhi Police to Ukraine?" the CJI asked during the hearing. The Centre's counsel, J Bagchi, said the government faced limitations in responding to an incident involving hostile action in the sovereign territory of another country.
Their visit came a day after the two travelled to Moscow and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than three hours.
Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for their first official visit to Ukraine, as Washington renewed efforts to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The counsel urged the court to examine the employment contracts of the sailors and determine whether they had been compelled to undertake assignments in dangerous waters.
Key Details
The petitioner's counsel, however, raised questions about the circumstances under which the sailors had been sent into areas affected by armed conflict.
Bagchi responded that compensation could not be granted without a death certificate.
Bagchi said that, at most, the MEA could assist the families in seeking compensation from the shipping companies concerned.
He pointed out that none of the countries involved had formally declared war, and argued that the Geneva Conventions could not be invoked in the manner suggested.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge
