The Kerala High Court has passed a directive for detention of the Panama cargo ship ‘Amber L’ which collided with an Indian fishing boat, ‘Carmel Matha’ off the Kochi shore leaving two fishermen dead and the boat severely damaged.

A fisherman from Assam, Motidas went missing after the accident. The court directed the Merchantile Marine Department (MMD) to detain the vessel till the next hearing of the case, which is due on June 27.

The fishermen had petitioned the court for detention of the ship and a compensation claim of Rs 6.08 crore. They said if the ship leaves Indian shores, the compensation will remain unpaid.

The fishermen claimed that it was rash handling of the Panama ship on June 11 that resulted in the crash, destroying the boat, its catch and belongings. The coastal police later filed a case of culpable homicide against the captain of the vessel.

— India Legal Bureau