Shawan Sen

THIS IS THE STORY OF CAPTAIN AJAY PANT WHO IS AN INDIAN SEAFARER CAUGHT IN A SANCTIONS BATTLE 36-year-old Indian Captain Ajay Pant is facing prosecution in the UK for commanding an oil tanker carrying Russian oil to India. The vessel had sailed to Ust-Luga, a Russian Baltic port. It was returning to India when British forces intercepted it on June 14. The circumstances of the interception raise serious questions. The vessel had transited the English Channel, spending approximately eight hours in UK waters under an established traffic separation scheme, before entering international waters. It was stopped after leaving UK waters and forced back into British jurisdiction. The stated justification was that it was allegedly stateless after Cameroon withdrew its flag, a claim that is disputed. SERIOUS CHARGES COMPOUND MISERY @shawansen reports that the Captain Pant now faces charges under Britain's Russia sanctions regulations for allegedly transporting prohibited Russian oil to a third country. THE NOV 11-13 WINDOW His defence will challenge the legality of the interception and Britain's compliance with international obligations at a hearing on November 11–13, ahead of his scheduled trial on December 15. WHY INDIA NEEDS TO GET BEHIND CAPTAIN PANT A 36-year-old Indian seafarer should not become collateral damage in a geopolitical sanctions confrontation. His wife who spoke to @CNNnews18 says the legal questions deserve rigorous scrutiny, a fair hearing AND due process. BRITISH MoD released a video below showing UK Marine Commandos entering Captain Pant's ship.

Thank you viewers for watching and trusting our coverage. Team @CNNnews18 feels deeply honored. Happy Diwali.

SOROS-LINKED DONORS. A CONG ACTIVIST. INDIA’S STRATEGIC DAM IN THE CROSSHAIRS. A CNN-News18 investigation led by Manoj Gupta and built upon by @shawansen has found that a CBI FIR alleges foreign funding to Arunachal anti-dam activist Bhanu Tatak, who joined Congress in December 2025. Two foreign entities that donated to Tatak have also received funding from George Soros’s Open Society network. The target? The 11,000 MW Siang dam, India’s strategic hedge against China’s mega dam upstream in Tibet. Are genuine tribal concerns being exploited to undermine India’s national security? The funding trail demands scrutiny. Responses from the foreign entities are awaited.