CBI Affirms Odisha Government’s Non-Responsive Stance in 2009 Mongolian Cargo Vessel Sinking Case, Files Affidavit in HC

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged an affidavit in the Orissa High Court, lamenting the lack of response from the Odisha government to its two requests seeking approval to probe the 2009 sinking of the Mongolian Cargo ship off the Paradip coast.

The affidavit, filed on Tuesday, was prompted by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by RTI activist Pradeep Kumar Pradhan, urging the court to address the apparent apathy of the Odisha government towards the repeated overtures by the premier investigative agency.

A Division Bench of the High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, has deferred further hearing on the matter for two weeks.

The genesis of the issue lies in the CBI’s quest for a ‘no-objection’ certificate from the Odisha government, following recommendations from the Union Shipping Ministry, to launch an inquiry into the incident colloquially referred to as the Black Rose case. However, the state government purportedly exhibited reluctance towards granting such approval, prompting the intervention of the high court through Pradhan’s PIL.

The incident in question revolves around the sinking of the Mongolian cargo ship ‘M V Black Rose’ on September 9, 2009, approximately five kilometres from the Paradip port, under mysterious circumstances. The vessel, laden with over 23,000 metric tons of iron ore and manned by 27 crew members, met with tragedy, with all but one engineer rescued by the Coast Guard.

The CBI’s affidavit underscores the urgency and significance of probing the incident, highlighting the need for cooperation from the Odisha government. The court’s forthcoming deliberations hold promise for shedding light on this longstanding maritime mystery.

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