Mumbai: Authorities Investigate Suspicious Boat “Abdullah Sharif” Near Gateway of India
Mumbai, 7th February 2024: A suspicious boat named “Abdullah Sharif” discovered near the Gateway of India has prompted authorities to launch an investigation into its origins and occupants. The vessel, which raised concerns due to its unauthorized presence, was found near Prong’s Lighthouse off Mumbai on Tuesday morning.
The occupants of the boat, three individuals from Kanyakumari who were previously employed in Kuwait, were apprehended for unauthorized travel in the Kuwaiti vessel. Intercepted by the crew of the Chaitrali patrol boat, they were subsequently handed over to the Colaba Police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ports, Sanjay Latkar, revealed that the individuals claimed to have fled Kuwait due to non-payment and lack of sustenance for nearly two years. Navigating Mumbai using GPS over ten days, they encountered language barriers, complicating communication with authorities. Despite their assertions of being checked twice en route to Mumbai, concerns over their undetected entry into Indian waters persist, particularly given the regular patrols conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard.
Conflicting reports initially emerged regarding the interception of the vessel, with naval sources implicated before DCP Latkar clarified that it was the police who intercepted the vessel and informed the Navy thereafter. Efforts to obtain comments from Coast Guard officials were unsuccessful, with their spokesperson citing their absence due to leave.
The defence forces, responsible for comprehensive sea surveillance, faced scrutiny over their failure to detect the vessel’s approach from Kuwait to Mumbai, echoing a previous lapse in detecting a yacht with arms off the Raigad district.
A senior officer from the Mumbai Port Authority confirmed the vessel’s dimensions and its interception by the Mumbai police. Following initial interrogation, the individuals were transferred to the Yellow Gate police station. Notably, all three occupants possessed Aadhar cards, indicating Indian nationality.
