KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday asked the Director General of Shipping to seize the official log book and voyage data recorder of Amber L, the cargo ship that rammed a boat on Sunday killing two fishermen off Kochi coast.
The HC also ordered the DGS to grab the original log abstract, night order book and bell book, containing entries for the date on which the incident happened, GPS and voyage navigation charts.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Sujatha, wife of the deceased Antony John. According to the petitioner, the important documents and technical details were significant for the adjudication of the case. She submitted evidence, including electronic data, could be tampered with. Sujatha said the authorities did not initiate any steps to secure the crucial evidence mandated by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
The Central Government said foreign vessel was presently detained within the Kochi Port limit. A police team in association with the Coast Guard has been carrying out the probe into Amber L’s involvement in collision, said Centre.