Top news of the day: 17 Indians among 25 crew on board ship seized by Iran; ED finds drug cartel’s money pumped into real estate, movies in Tamil Nadu, and more

Indian crew on board ship seized by Iran, ED’s findings on drugs money in Tamil Nadu, and more in The Hindu’s top news of April 13, 2024.

17 Indians among 25 crew on board container ship seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard near Strait of Hormuz

Italian-Swiss Shipping group MSC said on April 13 that there were 25 crew members on board a container ship seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Gulf, as tensions soar in the region. “We regret to confirm that MSC Aries... has been boarded by Iranian authorities via helicopter as she passed the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 0243 UTC this morning,” the group said in a statement. “She has 25 crew onboard, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel.” There are 17 Indians (including the Master) among the 25 crew onboard the Portuguese flagged and Israel affiliated cargo vessel MSC Aries that was seized by Iran in the Gulf of Hormuz. Other crew members include, four Filipinos, 2 Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian.

Drug cartel | Enforcement Directorate finds significant cash pumped into real estate and movie production in Tamil Nadu

The Enforcement Directorate which conducted searches at multiple locations across Tamil Nadu early this week in the ongoing probe against alleged drugs smugglers A.R. Jaffer Sadiq and his associates has found evidence suggesting that cash was routed through specific financiers before it was invested in movie production, the hospitality industry etc. ED searches revealed that proceeds of cash on the illegal drug business was routed through specific financiers before being invested into various sectors, notably movie production, hospitality industry and acquiring immovable properties. 

Arvind Kejriwal arrest | Supreme Court to hear Delhi CM’s plea against arrest on April 15

A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on April 15 a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to quash his arrest in in a Delhi Excise policy-linked money laundering case. The case is listed before the Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta. The petition is listed at the very end of the board at item number 57. Meanwhile, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed Mr. Kejriwal was not being allowed to meet his family. “There is an attempt to break the morale of CM Kejriwal. His family has not been allowed in-person meetings with him. They are only allowed to meet him through the jangla. This is inhuman. Even hardcore criminals are allowed in-person meetings,” he said.

Farm loans will be waived after Congress comes to power, says Rahul