The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate and oversee efforts to bring back Indians held hostages by Somalian pirates, saying combating piracy is imperative for successful world trade.
Holding pirates operating from Somalia as a serious menace for maritime traffic, the apex court, however, refused to pass any other direction to the government saying, "it cannot assume the role of the executive to oversee the sensitive issue of coordination with international agencies and bodies for securing release of citizens, who are held hostages abroad."
"Combating piracy is imperative for safety of seafarers as well as successful world trade. The issue is of international concern and as already noted, it is receiving the attention of Government of India at highest level. We do hope the Government of India will continue its efforts for protection of affected citizens," a bench headed by Justice T S Thakur said.
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The apex court in it verdict however said that it is not a case where the government has not shown any concern for its citizens, but where unfortunate situation has come about in spite of serious efforts.
"The issue of coordination at international level with foreign countries and international bodies has to be left to the wisdom of experts in the government. Handling of the situation requires expertise and continuous efforts," it said.
The bench said, "while safety and protection of the lives and liberty of Indian citizens is also the concern of this Court, the issue has to be dealt with at the level of the executive.
The bench passed the order on PILs filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal and the wife of one of the captivated seamen, seeking direction to the Centre to intervene and expedite release of Indian Seamen held hostages by the Somalian Pirates in the international waters and to frame anti-piracy guidelines.
"This Court is assigned the role of sentinel on the qui vive for protection of rights of citizens and steps in, in exercise of power of judicial review for protection of Fundamental Rights of the citizens, if the State fails to perform its duty," the bench said.
The apex court said, "It does appear that pirates operating from Somalia have become serious menace to the safety of maritime traffic in Gulf of Aden and Western Arabian Sea and three incidents involving Indian citizens are part of series of such events".
