Full Story: Why 10 Indians Thrown In Jail, 6 Held Hostage In Iran | World News

New Delhi: During the unrest in the country, 16 Indian citizens were detained in Iran and 10 of them were imprisoned. Recent public protests have coincided with signals from the United States about possible international action and have created a tense backdrop for detentions. Families of crew members are worried and unsure about the safety of their loved ones.

This began on December 8 last year, when Iranian authorities seized the commercial ship MT Valent Ror near the port of Dibba for allegedly carrying illegal diesel. There were 18 crew members on board, including 16 Indians, one Bangladeshi and one Sri Lankan. Ten of the Indian crew were sent to prison on January 6, while the remaining six were kept under strict surveillance on the ship.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the matter was under judicial review. Efforts were made to secure consular access, but initial attempts on January 10 failed due to disruptions in the area.

The Indian embassy in Tehran continues to be in touch with both the crew and the shipping company Prime Tankers LLC to ensure the welfare of the detainees.

The ship’s owner, Joginder Barad, denied allegations that the ship was carrying illegal diesel, instead stating that it was carrying very low-sulfur fuel oil to fuel other ships in international waters, a standard operational procedure.

He stressed that the crew was treated unfairly and that the company’s top priority was to bring them back to India safely.

Six Indian crew members on the ship, including the captain from Uttar Pradesh and other officers and sailors from Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana and Delhi, were kept under strict surveillance for the last 45 days.

A Bangladeshi chief engineer and a Sri Lankan electrical officer are also detained on the ship with them. Crew members stated that conditions were very poor, with eight personnel sharing a fourteen by ten meter mess area for sleeping and daily activities.

Supplies were minimal. After stocks were depleted in December, Barad sent additional food on December 25, but a week later only rice remained. The cook on board prepares rice, which is eaten with salt twice a day. Water supplies are nearly exhausted, and the crew is forced to boil industrial water labeled “undrinkable” to avoid dehydration. Diesel for the generator is reserved for night use due to uncertainty about how long it will last.

All personal belongings, including mobile phones, laptops and bags, were seized by Iranian security forces on December 8. Limited phone access allowed brief contact with families, but only 5GB of data was available by January 31.

Families expressed their discomfort with the prolonged detention. Some crew members’ employment contracts were set to expire this January, and many had personal milestones such as weddings in the coming months. Families say uncertainty and lack of communication are impacting their health and daily lives.

Members of the maritime union in India criticized Iran’s actions as inhumane, arguing that crews should not be punished for company operations or cargo. Barad confirmed that diplomatic efforts were ongoing, but highlighted difficulties due to internal conditions in Iran that prevented legal representatives from meeting the crew.

The families approached the Delhi High Court on January 15, seeking urgent intervention. Government representatives assured the court that appropriate measures were being taken and assistance would continue. The next hearing will be held on January 21.

Union representatives argue that responsibility for the cargo should rest with the shipping company, not the crew, and are pressing for the immediate repatriation of all Indian personnel.