Ahmedabad, 7 July 2012

Peter John, a citizen of Mozambique who was in custody since 28 June in a ship off Hazira coast was yesterday evening allowed to go back to his country.

On Thursday, 28th June, captain of Malta origin ship MV Rochester found an African person hiding in the ship. The captain informed Surat Marine police about presence of a stranger in his ship.

After joint interrogation by state intelligence bureau, central intelligence bureau and marine police, it was revealed the African person had boarded the ship to reach Europe illegally. The ship however was on way to Hazira to unload goods at Essar company, and thus he arrived here.

To keep him out of the purview of India’s law of the land, John Peter was kept in custody inside the ship. After thorough interrogation by various agencies , Marine police had sought guidance of state Home department in this case. By the time, the ship was asked to stay.

According to GK Israni, Sub Inspector of Surat Marine Police, as per the guidance received from state Home department, Peter was allowed to stay in the ship as per the 1948 foreign act section six and three and ship was allowed to sail back to its return destination yesterday late in the evening. Thus the issue is resolved.

The question is, what happened to Peter John then?

Well, he will go wherever the ship is destined to reach.