UK Arrests Indian Ship Captain After Intercepting Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker, Family Seeks Govt Help
New Delhi: The Uttarakhand-based family of an Indian captain of a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker, arrested in the UK, has appealed to the Indian government to ensure his safe return.
Ajay Pant, 38, a Nainital resident, was detained in the UK last week after his ship was intercepted by British armed forces in the English Channel while sailing from Russia to India.
Uttarakhand home secretary Shailesh Bagauli said the state government has approached the Centre for assistance. “We wrote to MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) two days ago to seek their assistance for Pant’s release and return. Our regional commissioner based in Delhi is coordinating with central authorities in the matter,” Bagauli said.
A positive for Pant is that the Indian High Commission in the UK has already been granted consular access to him.
Pant, who appeared before Southampton magistrates’ court from Bournemouth via video link on June 16, has been charged with “directly or indirectly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil from Russia to a third country by ship, in contravention of Regulation 46Z9B of Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.”
Pant’s solicitor James Diamond argued during proceedings that it was not his choice as to where the ship was going or the cargo it was carrying.
“He was simply following orders from those in the corporation. He is just an employee doing his job who now finds himself before a British court,” the solicitor said.
Prosecutor Varun Chuni told the court that Royal Marines and officers from National Crime Agency boarded the vessel MV Smyrtos on June 14 after it entered UK territorial waters without a legitimate flag. Pant was arrested and remanded in custody as he was identified as the ship’s master.
There will be no immediate relief for Pant as the case has been sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 16.
If convicted, Pant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
As he seeks to prove his innocence, 24 crew members from India and Georgia remain on board the MV Smyrtos.
The oil tanker, which has been under European Union and UK sanctions since October 2025, is anchored off Weymouth in Dorset.
