The Madras High Court (File photo)
The Madras High Court today denied bail to 35 crew members of the US-based ship, MV Seaman Guard Ohio, who were arrested in October on charges of illegally carrying arms and straying into Indian waters.
However, the court granted bail to a fisherman accused of supplying provisions to the crew.
"We are yet to receive the order. We shall decide our next course of action after reading it," lawyer for the American sailors, Antony Arul, told NDTV.
The ship's crew includes 13 Indians, besides nationals from the United Kingdom, Estonia and Ukraine. There are no Americans in the crew.
The ship belongs to a US-based company, AdvanFort which provides maritime security for ships against pirates. The crew was arrested in Tuticorin in October on charges of the trespassing into Indian waters, illegal possession of arms and ammunition and illegal procurement of diesel.
The Coast Security Group of the Tamil Nadu Police said they recovered 31 assault rifles and more than 5000 rounds of ammunition from the ship.
The crew members were arrested on charges of trespassing into Indian waters, illegal possession of arms and ammunition and unauthorized procurement of diesel.
The 22 foreigners were moved to Puzhal Jail in Chennai while their Indian counterparts were lodged at the Central Prison in Tirunelvelli.