Sailors detention case: HC impleads NIA

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has impleaded National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a petition against the detention of the crew of an Iranian dhow captured by the Indian Navy last year.Justice N K Balakrishnan passed the order while considering a petition filed against the detention of the crew lodged in Poojappura central prison came up before the court. The Central Government submitted that the issue is based on national security and sought an investigation by the NIA citing serious discrepancies in the statements of the sailors.So the court directed to implead NIA in this case. The court will hear the NIA’s stand in the case on December 3. The Iranian dhow was apprehended 180 nautical miles off Bira Island in Lakshadweep by INS Rajput on December 3, 2010. The Navy team detained 21 members, including 17 Pakistanis and four Iranians, who were present on board. Later, the crew submitted before the police that they were engaged in fishing and had deviated to Indian waters fearing pirates