Iran-Linked Tanker Spent Days in Pakistan Waters Before Indian Seizure: FIR Details
The Indian Coast Guard's seizure of three US-sanctioned Iran-linked oil tankers off the Mumbai coast has taken a dramatic turn with revelations from an FIR filed in Mumbai. One of the vessels, MT Asphalt Star, spent multiple days inside Pakistan's maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with its tracking systems deliberately switched off, according to the official police complaint.
Three Vessels Seized for Investigation
The Indian Coast Guard intercepted and seized three ships—Asphalt Star, Stellar Ruby, and Al Jafzia—approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on February 6. Following thorough investigation, a formal police complaint was lodged on February 15 at Mumbai's Yellow Gate police station against nine individuals, including the alleged owner of all three vessels, for suspected illegal activities and oil smuggling connected to Iran.
A total of 55 crew members were aboard the three seized ships during the operation. Based on the complaint filed by ICG Commandant Aniruddha Dharampal Dabash, Mumbai police registered an FIR and subsequently arrested the captain of MT Asphalt Star along with one crew member for their alleged involvement in oil smuggling and document forgery.
Tracking Data Reveals Pakistan EEZ Entry
The FIR contains crucial electronic evidence examined by Coast Guard Assistant Commandant P Siddharth Ratnam. Analysis of the Electronic Chart Display & Information System data from MT Asphalt Star confirmed that between January 20 and January 28, the vessel had entered Pakistan's maritime exclusive economic zone.
"On January 28, at approximately 11 hours, the vessel had switched off its automatic identification system (AIS), very high frequency (VHF) and all sensors, thereby concealing its identity and carrying out suspicious movements," the FIR states. When questioned about this activity, the ship's master claimed the voyage data recorder system had malfunctioned and stopped functioning.
Investigators determined that all three seized vessels employed AIS spoofing techniques and false identity data to evade maritime detection systems, indicating a coordinated effort to conceal their movements and activities.
Alleged Owner and Modus Operandi
The FIR names Jogendar Singh Brar, an Indian national currently based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as one of the accused and alleged owner of the three ships. Through sustained rummaging operations, electronic data verification, document examination, and crew interrogations, the ICG specialist boarding team established the criminal modus operandi.
"We have arrested Shyam Bahadur Chauhan and one more person in this case. They were produced before a court and sent in police custody till February 23," confirmed a police officer involved in the investigation. Chauhan served as the master of MT Asphalt Star.
In response to the allegations, Brar claimed through UAE media reports that his ships were merely providing essential supplies to other vessels in distress far from the Indian coast and were not engaged in any illegal activities.
Illegal Transfers Between Vessels
The FIR further details specific illegal transfers between the seized vessels. MT Asphalt Star was found to have conducted an unauthorized ship-to-ship operation, transferring 30 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil to MT Al Jafzia within the Indian Ocean's EEZ without informing any Indian government authorities.
Additionally, the vessel illegally transferred 5,473 metric tonnes of Bitumen—material commonly used for road construction—to MT Stellar Ruby. These transfers occurred without proper authorization or documentation, strengthening the smuggling allegations against the vessel operators.
The comprehensive investigation continues as authorities examine the broader network behind these alleged smuggling operations and their connections to sanctioned Iranian oil shipments.
