New Delhi, 10 November (H.S.): India said on Tuesday that officials at the Indian High Commission in London were in contact with Captain Ajay Pant’s lawyers and family. The High Commission has made several consular visits to enquire about his well-being and facilitate meetings with his wife, with the most recent visit taking place in early November.

Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was continuing diplomatic engagement with the British High Commission in New Delhi and the UK Foreign Office over the matter.

Meanwhile, Pant’s legal team is preparing to challenge the legality of the interception of the tanker during a hearing scheduled for November 11–13, ahead of his trial in December.

Pant has been accused of violating British sanctions imposed against Russia by operating the vessel. British forces intercepted the oil tanker MV Smyrtos in the English Channel over allegations that it was part of a clandestine fleet transporting Russian crude oil.

Captain Ajay Pant, an Indian Merchant Navy officer, has been in judicial custody in the United Kingdom since June 14. He faces allegations of breaching British sanctions, and if convicted, could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar