A special court in Mumbai has sentenced 44 Somali nationals to life imprisonment for piracy, hostage-taking and related offences. The court praised the Indian Navy for its swift anti-piracy operations that rescued hostages and protected international shipping routes.
Mumbai, (Somali Report) — A special court in Mumbai has sentenced 44 Somali nationals to life imprisonment in two major piracy cases involving the hijacking of vessels in the Gulf of Aden in 2024. The court described the crimes as extremely serious, involving hostage-taking, threats to human life and attacks that endangered international maritime security.
Special Judge S.B. Dige of the Mumbai court delivered the verdict on Monday, July 20, 2026, after accepting the guilty pleas submitted by all 44 accused. The judge said the pleas were made voluntarily and without pressure, but ruled that the seriousness of the offences required the maximum punishment.
The court also praised the Indian Navy for its courage and professionalism during the operations that led to the arrest of the Somali nationals. The judge noted that the Navy had fulfilled its legal and international responsibilities despite facing risks during anti-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean region.
The convictions relate to two separate hijacking incidents involving the Malta-flagged merchant vessel MV Ruen and the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel FV Al Kambar.
In the MV Ruen case, 35 Somali nationals were arrested after the vessel was hijacked in December 2023 and later intercepted by the Indian Navy in March 2024. Following a distress alert, Indian naval warships, including INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Subhadra, carried out a coordinated operation to regain control of the vessel.
Indian Marine Commandos boarded the ship on March 16, 2024, rescued all 18 crew members and arrested the suspected pirates. During the incident, one pirate allegedly fired at the vessel’s chief officer, causing injuries that required medical treatment in Oman. Prosecutors told the court that the pirates had held the crew hostage and demanded a ransom reportedly running into millions of dollars.
The second case involved nine Somali nationals arrested after the hijacking of FV Al Kambar in March 2024. The Indian Navy received a hijacking alert from the Iranian-flagged vessel, prompting INS Trishul and INS Sumedha to respond as part of ongoing anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
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According to prosecutors, the pirates had detained crew members for several days while threatening them with weapons, including AK-47 rifles and hand grenades. The Navy operation resulted in the rescue of the crew and the arrest of the accused.
The court convicted the 44 accused under several legal provisions, including the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, the Arms Act, the Passport Act, the Foreigners Act, the Explosive Substances Act and relevant sections of criminal law. The accused in the MV Ruen case were also convicted under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
During the sentencing hearing, the accused requested leniency, saying they were poor and uneducated Somali citizens who had experienced difficulties during their detention in India. They cited language barriers, differences in food and culture, and separation from their families. They also appealed for consideration based on diplomatic relations between India and Somalia.
However, the prosecution argued that the crimes involved armed attacks, attempted killings, hostage-taking and threats against international shipping. The court agreed that humanitarian considerations could not outweigh the danger posed by piracy on the high seas.
The verdict marks one of India’s largest piracy prosecutions and highlights the growing role of naval cooperation in protecting commercial shipping routes. The Indian Navy has increased surveillance, rescue missions and anti-piracy operations in strategic maritime areas where attacks on vessels have threatened global trade.
The Mumbai ruling sends a strong message that piracy, regardless of the nationality of those involved, will face strict legal action under international maritime law and Indian legislation.
About the Author
Fatuma Taxadar Yusuf is the Editor-in-Chief of Somali Report. She was the first woman to serve as an editor and media managing director in Somalia’s Puntland State. Previously, she worked with the BBC World Service and other leading media organizations in Somalia. She also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Somalia Media Council, an independent body that regulates media standards and professional conduct in Somalia.
