MV Ruen case: Investigating officer recalls challenges in cracking piracy case

Deputy Superintendent of Police Maya More

As the Mumbai Sessions Court convicted 35 Somali nationals in the MV Ruen piracy case and sentenced them to life imprisonment. mid-day spoke with Deputy Superintendent of Police (SDPO) Maya More from Alibaug sub-division, Raigad Police, about her role and the challenges in the investigation owing to language barriers, among other issues. More served as assistant commissioner of police in Yellow Gate Division, South Mumbai, and was the investigating officer in the case in 2024.

Excerpts from the interview.

How did the investigation take its course?
It began in March 2024 after the Indian Navy handed over 35 Somali nationals to us. I was posted at Yellow Gate police station and was made the investigating officer. It was unlike any case I had handled as we were dealing with foreign nationals: 35 alleged pirates, and there was a huge language barrier. The navy had seized the hijacked vessel, which was carrying arms and ammunition. It was a high-profile case unlike any other, involving national security. We began interrogating the accused, uncovered their motive, studied their modus operandi, and pieced together the evidence. By September 2024, we had completed the investigation and filed the charge sheet.

The 35 Somali nationals arrested in the MV Ruen piracy case remain in police custody at the dock after being brought to Mumbai following their arrest. Pic/By Special Arrangement

How did you navigate the language barrier?
They were speaking Somali, and we had no clue what they were saying. We immediately began writing to various authorities seeking a translator. Eventually, we found one: Ismail, a Somali national who was then a student at Pune University. He translated our questions for the accused and translated their answers back to us. It was a long and painstaking process.

How did the interrogation take place?
We interrogated each of them individually. We didn't want them communicating with each other, changing their statements or influencing one another. So, all 35 were kept separate during questioning. That itself took a lot of time. We were dealing with foreign nationals, and their behaviour was unpredictable, so we had to be extremely cautious. For every accused, three to four police personnel were deployed for security, apart from the investigating team and the translator.

When you look back, how will you describe the case?
It was a huge, high-profile case and a truly unique experience. As we say in Marathi, "dev sandhich son karayla shikavto (god teaches you to turn an opportunity into gold)". I looked at this investigation the same way. It was a rare opportunity and a huge responsibility, and I wanted to give it my best. Looking back today, I'm proud that our team successfully completed the investigation.

The investigating team

>> Deputy Superintendent of Police Maya More, Alibaug sub-division, Raigad Police (served as ACP in Yellow Gate Division, South Mumbai in 2024)
>> Police Inspector Sushant Sawant, Mumbai
>> Police Inspector Ajay Kadam, Mumbai
>> Head Constable Shintre, Mumbai
>> Police Constable Ganesh Sanap, Mumbai
>> Police Constable Avinash Khairnar, Mumbai

What is the MV Ruen case?

December 2023: Armed Somali pirates hijacked the Malta-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen in the Arabian Sea. The pirates held the vessel and its 17 crew members hostage for nearly three months.

March 2024: The Indian Navy intercepted the ship after a nearly 40-hour anti-piracy operation, rescued all crew members unharmed and arrested all 35 pirates. The accused were handed over to the Yellow Gate Police, leading to one of India's biggest piracy prosecutions under the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act.

[popcorn number="Dec 2023" desc="Month MV Ruen was hijacked by Somali pirates" class="Default"]