20 July,2026 06:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
The Somali nationals are produced before a Mumbai Sessions Court ahead of the verdict on Monday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
A Mumbai Sessions Court on Monday convicted all 35 Somali nationals in the MV Ruen piracy case and sentenced them to life imprisonment, more than two years after they were arrested by the Indian Navy in a high-profile anti-piracy operation.
The court also awarded the convicts life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 10 years' imprisonment each under the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for attempting to murder the vessel's chief officer, seven years' imprisonment under the Arms Act, and two years each under the Passport Act and the Foreigners Act. All the sentences would run concurrently, and the period spent in judicial custody since March 2024 was ordered to be set off against the sentence.
The 35 Somali nationals were arrested by the Indian Navy in March 2024 after they allegedly hijacked the Malta-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen and held its 17 crew members hostage. After a nearly 40-hour anti-piracy operation in the Arabian Sea, the Navy rescued all the crew members, apprehended the accused, and handed them over to the Yellow Gate Police in Mumbai. The police subsequently registered a case under the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, UAPA and other relevant laws before filing a chargesheet against the accused.
The court also ordered that the seized arms and ammunition be disposed of in accordance with law and informed the convicts that they could challenge the verdict before the Bombay High Court, with free legal aid to be provided by the government if required.
