New Delhi, Jun 11 Welcoming South Korea&aposs High Court order holding two Indian seafarers"not guilty"in a oil spill case, India today said it vindicates their position of not being guilty of any criminal negligence and hoped that the ban would be lifted so that the duo could return home soon.
" Government of India welcomes the verdict of the Daejon High Court, Republic of Korea, delivered on 11 June 2009 in which the two Indian seafarers- Captain J S Chawla and Chief Officer Chetan Syam- of the marine vessel&apos Hebei Spirit&aposhave been held not guilty.", a Foreign ministry statement said here.
The RoK Supreme Court had in April, 2009 ordered a retrial for the two Indians of a Hong Kong supertanker, jailed over the country&aposs worst oil spill.
" This verdict once again vindicates the position of the two Indian seafarers that there was no criminal negligence on their part in the accident involving their ship,"the statement said.
India understands that the lawyers of the Indian sailors have already approached the Prosecution for lifting the exit ban, the ministry said.
"It is hoped that the exit ban on the two seafarers will be lifted and that they will be able to return home soon,"the statement added.
The spill had occurred in December 2007 when a Samsung Heavy Industries barge carrying a construction crane broke free after a cable linking it to one of two tugs snapped in rough seas.
source: PTI
