Captains to get 72-hr notice prior to arrest

In a brief respite to captains of MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia III,a sessions court on Wednesday directed the Mumbai Police to serve notice on them at least 72 hours before their arrest. Captains of both the cargo vessels,which collided on august 7,had moved the sesssions court seeking anticipatory bail after a case of rash navigation and negligence was registered against them.

According to Minguelinho Ranjit Martin,captain of Chitra,he was on VHF channel number 12 whereas Khalijia’s captain alleged that Chitra was on VHF 13. While disposing both the pleas Principal Judge of the sessions court M L Tahaliyani asked when the police are yet to ascertain which channel was used by the vessels,on what grounds are they challenging the bail application. Prosecution informed the court that the investigation is still on and and that they have no intention of arresting the captains as of now.

The court while directing the police to give the captains 72-hour notice in case of arrest,came down heavily on the police for slow investigation.