Arrested pirates booked under IPC sections

New Delhi, Mar 16: In the absence of anti-piracy laws, India has levelled several charges including those of trespassing, waging war against the country, attempt to murder and armed robbery against the 61 pirates, 38 of whom are believed to be minors.

"After we handed over them to the Mumbai police, they have levelled charges of waging a war against the country for firing at naval vessels, trespassing for operating in our territory and attempt to murder and armed robbery against the pirates," Navy sources said here.

On the action to be taken against the ''minor'' pirates apprehended on Saturday night, the sources said they may be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act but for that they will have to prove that they are less than 18.

Individuals below 18 years of age are considered to be minors and are tried under the Juvenile Justice Act. The Navy had handed the pirates to the police in Mumbai after capturing them after a gun battle in the Arabian Sea. To deal firmly with pirates, the government is working on a tough law to deal with the piracy problem.

At present, piracy is dealt with under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and century-old Admiralty law but the government would like to have a separate statute with provisions to effectively tackle the problem that takes place far away from Indian shores.

PTI