The Kerala government had earlier taken a lenient approach, even as container debris and barrels from the shipwreck damaged fishing boats and nets, drawing sharp criticism. As procedures for compensation moved forward, there was growing pressure for the government to adopt a stricter stance.
Thiruvananthapuram: A formal complaint submitted by CPM area secretary and fisheries union leader C Shamji has prompted the Kerala government to reverse its earlier stance and file a case against MSC, the owners of the sunken cargo vessel ELSA-3 near the Kochi coast. The move follows legal advice from the Advocate General stating that a criminal case could be registered if a complaint was received. With local body elections approaching, the government’s shift is widely seen as an attempt to avoid backlash from the coastal fishing community, which had criticised its initial soft approach.
The Kerala government had earlier taken a lenient approach, even as container debris and barrels from the shipwreck damaged fishing boats and nets, drawing sharp criticism. As procedures for compensation moved forward, there was growing pressure for the government to adopt a stricter stance. A second shipping incident and the contrast in the government's responses to both cases also compelled a rethink.
In the meantime, the government received legal advice from the Advocate General stating that a case could indeed be filed if a formal complaint was submitted. This opened the way for legal action after C Shamji — the CPM area secretary and leader of the Left-affiliated fisheries workers’ union — sent an email complaint on Wednesday. A copy of the FIR was subsequently shared by the Chief Minister on social media.
Initially, the Advocate General had advised the government to proceed with a civil suit for damages. However, recognising the limitations of such action, the government decided to file a criminal case if affected individuals came forward with a complaint. Allegations and controversies had also surfaced suggesting links between the shipping company and the Adani Group.
Minister Vasavan distances himself from Chief Secy’s stance
Minister V N Vasavan stated that he was unaware of the Chief Secretary’s earlier note suggesting that no case should be filed against MSC. "A case was registered only after a formal complaint was received. One cannot jump in and file a case unilaterally," he said.
Published: 12 Jun 2025, 11:53 am IST
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