Legal twist as three foreign seafarers get clearance to leave India after ship sinking

Seven foreign crew members of the MSC Elsa 3 filed petitions in the Kerala High Court seeking permission to depart India following the ship's sinking near the state’s coastline. While four of the petitioners are still awaiting clearance, the court has now granted relief to three based on the cash‑deposit provision. The court also noted that the three sailors are not listed in the initial report of the Merchant Shipping Act investigation and have not been named as accused in the criminal case lodged at Fort Kochi police station.