MV Ruen Case: Here's why Indian Navy will bring 35 Somali pirates to India 

After it launched a major operation to successfully rescue the crew of MV Ruen in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy will bring the 35 Somali pirates, who were involved in hijacking the ship, to India.

Over the weekend, the Navy cornered and coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender while ensuring the safe evacuation of all the crew members of MV Ruen.

INS Kolkata carried out the interception of the Pirate Ship Ruen almost 1400 nautical miles (2600km) from the Indian Coast.

Can India prosecute the pirates?

Under regular circumstances, the Indian Navy usually deals with anti-piracy operations by apprehending the pirates, disarming them and ensuring that they do not pose any further threat.

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However, since the Somali pirates opened fire on the Indian Navy and were involved in acts of aggression, they will be prosecuted on Indian soil under international law and guidelines.

Talking to the Times of India, an official said, “There is now also the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, which was notified last year, to prosecute such cases. If the pirates are let go, they will re-group and begin their piracy attacks again.”

What is the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act?

In December, India passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act which provides the government with an effective legal instrument to combat maritime piracy.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said at the time, “Ensuring maritime security is key to safeguarding India’s security and economic well-being.”

Under the act, parties or individuals convicted of piracy will be penalized.

It also addresses the issue of death penalties as an “exceptional case.” “In the absence of a specific law or a legal provision in the Indian Penal Code or the Criminal Procedure Code on piracy, this Bill would provide an effective legal instrument to combat maritime piracy. It would enable us to discharge our obligations under the UNCLOS which we had signed in 1982 and ratified in 1995,” Jaishankar had said.