The Bombay High Court in Mumbai has ordered the release of 50 seafarers who were stranded on three ships — MT Asphalt Star, MT Stellar Ruby, and MT Al Jafzia — due to the vessel owners' negligence. The court criticized the owners for treating the crew worse than 'pet animals,' as they were provided with only 300 ml of water and minimal food daily. The seafarers had filed a habeas corpus petition after being stranded for months following the arrest of the ships for illegal fuel oil and bitumen transfers. The court's bench, comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Hiten Venegaonkar, expressed concern over the crew's health, stating that the owners displayed a lack of interest in human lives. The court emphasized that it would ensure the well-being of the seafarers while the owners could focus on their commercial activities. The Yellow Gate police were instructed to complete the necessary formalities for the seafarers' release.