India In Touch With UK Over Arrest Of Merchant Navy Captain Ajay Pant: MEA

India is in touch with British authorities over the India In Touch With UK Over Arrest Of Merchant Navy Captain Ajay Pant: MEAarrest of Merchant Navy captain Ajay Pant in the United Kingdom. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that it is taking all possible steps to ensure his safety and well-being.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has contacted the UK High Commission in New Delhi and the UK Foreign Office. The Indian High Commission in London has provided consular assistance to Pant, who remains in judicial custody.

“We have been in touch with the lawyers of Captain Pant as well as his family. The High Commission has paid several visits to Captain Pant to check on his well-being. We have also facilitated the visit of his family members, his wife in particular,” Jaiswal said during the bi-weekly media briefing.

He said Pant’s wife last visited him on November 9. India continues to coordinate with British officials and support the captain.

Pant, a resident of Uttarakhand, was reportedly arrested in June. British forces and the UK’s National Crime Agency intercepted the oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel. Pant was captaining the vessel at the time.

UK authorities charged him with offences linked to sanctions on Russian oil. The charges carry a maximum prison term of 10 years. Pant was the only one among the 24 crew members to face charges. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Authorities are holding Pant at HMP Winchester. His trial is expected to begin on December 15.

His wife, Ritu Pant, has maintained that authorities made her husband a scapegoat. She said he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

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