Days after a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) capsized off the Kerala coast on 24 May, the Fort Kochi Coastal Police have registered a case against the company and others involved.
Confirming the registration, State Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan stated that the FIR was based on a complaint lodged by local fisherman Shyamji.
The case names MSC, the ship&rsquo;s master, and the crew of the cargo vessel, citing negligence that allegedly endangered local fishermen and caused damage to the coastal environment.
The FIR was filed amid protests by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which expressed outrage over the state government's initial reluctance to take legal action.
The controversy stemmed from a note issued by Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak after a high-level review meeting with the Chief Minister. The note stated that the government had decided not to pursue a criminal case against MSC, despite serious environmental concerns arising from the sinking of the MSC ELSA-3, which was reportedly carrying hazardous cargo.
Citing MSC&rsquo;s global standing, the note underscored the importance of preserving Kerala&rsquo;s &ldquo;goodwill&rdquo; to ensure the company&rsquo;s continued operations in the region.
The police action came on a day when the Congress held coordinated protests across approximately 50 coastal assembly constituencies.
Meanwhile, local television channels have highlighted the CPI(M)&rsquo;s apparent double standards, recalling the party's sharp criticism of the UDF and UPA governments during the 2012 Enrica Lexie incident. In that case, two Italian marines aboard an Italian vessel shot and killed two Indian fishermen, sparking national outrage.
Archived footage is being widely aired, showing former CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and senior leader V.S. Achuthanandan, then Leader of the Opposition, strongly criticising the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for their perceived leniency and alleged shielding of the Italian marines.
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(Apart from the headline, this article has not been edited by Benefit News editorial team and is published from an IANS news feed.)

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) capsized off the Kerala coast

Kerala Police register FIR against MSC amid political heat and environmental concerns

MSC Faces FIR Over Kerala Cargo Ship Capsize

Kerala Police register FIR against MSC amid political heat and environmental concerns

June 11, 2025 | 17:05 IST