Bombay HC frees 50 stranded seafarers; raps vessel owners for treating crew worse than pets

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) directed the release of 50 seafarers stranded on three ships arrested off the Mumbai coast, slamming vessel owners for treating crew members worse than “pet animals” by providing minimal food and water for months.

“Life comes only once. We don’t believe in rebirth,” the court observed while accusing the ship owners of being “least interested in human lives” and prioritising their commercial activities over the health of the crew.

The seafarers, in their plea in HC, claimed that they were stranded with a minimum supply of food and water on the vessels, which were practically abandoned by the owners, following arrest for illegal fuel oil and bitumen transfers mid-sea, about 11 nautical miles from the city.