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    Anglo Eastern RPSL Suspended Case – Live Updates & Full Story

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    The News of Suspension of RPSL of Major Shipping Company Anglo Eastern surfaced on 01-06-2023 and it shocked the Whole Shipping & Seafarers community across India.

    This RPSL Suspension of Anglo Eastern’s is a historic step and is a Major Setback for Anglo Eastern Ship Management which is significantly Impacting AESM’s Operations

    News of the Seamen’s Employment Office (SEO) sudden decision to suspend the recruitment and placement service (RPS) license of Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt Ltd on 31 May 2023 came as a rude shock to the Indian ship management industry.

    The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), which oversees the SEO, had just this April awarded the global ship manager with the title of ‘Top Foreign Employer of Indian Seafarers’ at its 60th National Maritime Day Awards – a title that has been conferred on Anglo-Eastern multiple times by DGS over the years.

    DG Shipping, on June 1, 2023, suspended the RPSL (Recruitment and Placement Service) of Anglo Eastern Ship Management. The details of this suspension can be found in the official DSEO Order dated May 31, 2023. Link here

    Timeline Updates of Anglo Eastern RPSL Suspension – Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case

    The Mystery of Death or Murder of Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary

    April 16, 2018 – Sanjay Chaudhary, spoke to his wife for the last time.

    April 17, 2018 – A day later, his wife was informed that Chaudhary, 45, died of cardiac arrest while he was on duty

    Family received his body after 16 days – His family could receive his Body only after a painfully long wait of 16 days which was deliberate on the part of the company. Most of his belongings were missing and were not returned by the company

    May 31, 2018 – Company admitted that they could not find the missing belongs including mobile, laptop and documents of Sanjay which his Wife claims have been misappropriated so that they cannot be used as evidence against them.

    January, 2019 – CBI filed a chargesheet against four individuals, including Anglo-Eastern’s former chief operating officer, Ranveer Thalod.

    Table of Contents

    Why Anglo Eastern lost RPSL?

    The suspension order issued on May 31 is a result of an investigation into the death of Sanjay Chaudhary, the Chief Engineer on board the Hong Kong-flagged ship M T Atlantic Olive.

    The incident occurred on April 17, 2018, while the ship, managed by Anglo Eastern, was en route from Malta to Cape Verde Islands.

    The investigation revealed multiple violations of the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement Service) Rules, 2016 by Anglo Eastern Ship Management. The order stated that the negligence of Captain Santosh Achuthan, the Master of the vessel, contributed to the death of Sanjay Chaudhary.

    Captain Santosh Achuthan failed to utilize the 4 hours and 25 minutes of golden time, which ultimately led to the tragic outcome.

    Reason behind AESM RPSL Suspension – Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case

    On 16 April 2018, Sanjay Chaudhary, chief engineer at the Anglo-Eastern shipping company, spoke to his wife for the last time. “Something horrible” was being conspired against him, he is said to have told her.

    A day later, his wife was informed that Chaudhary, 45, died of cardiac arrest while he was on duty on the ship — a claim she refused to buy. Now, in a complaint to the CBI chief, Chaudhary’s wife, a Ghaziabad-based government employee, has alleged foul play.

    The Mysterious Death of Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary

    Anglo Eastern Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case – AESM RPSL Suspended

    Sanjay Chaudhary was a chief engineer on a ship managed by Anglo-Eastern, a leading ship management company. He died on 17 April 2018 while sailing on M.V. Atlantic Olive, a product tanker owned by International Seaways. The official cause of his death was acute cardiac arrest, but his wife and family suspect foul play.

    According to his wife, Sanjay had called her several times before his death and expressed his fear and dissatisfaction with his job. He had told her that he was aware of some illegal activities on the ship, such as smuggling, weapons, and drugs, and that he had confronted the captain about them.

    He had also complained about the poor condition of the machinery and the lack of support from the company. He had said that he felt threatened by the captain and the senior management and that he wanted to quit his job and come back home.

    However, on 17 April 2018, She received a shocking news that Sanjay had died of a heart attack while on duty. She was not convinced by this explanation and demanded an autopsy and an investigation into his death. She claimed that Sanjay was healthy and had no history of heart problems. She also alleged that the company had delayed the transportation of his mortal remains and had tried to cover up the incident.

    When she received his body, she noticed some unusual swelling on his face and some cuts, marks, and lumps on his body. She suspected that he had been assaulted or tortured before his death. She also found that some of his belongings were missing.

    She contacted the company and asked for an explanation, but they denied any foul play and said that the autopsy report from Cape Verde, where his body was examined, did not show any signs of injury or aggression.

    His Wife was not satisfied with this response and approached the Indian authorities for help. She filed a complaint with the Ministry of External Affairs and requested a CBI probe into her husband’s death. She also launched a social media campaign to seek justice for Sanjay and to expose the alleged crimes of Anglo-Eastern and its associates.

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a probe into Chaudhary’s death in May 2018. In January 2019, the CBI filed a chargesheet against four people, including Anglo-Eastern’s former chief operating officer, Ranveer Thalod. The chargesheet alleged that Chaudhary was murdered by Thalod and three other employees of Anglo-Eastern.

    The trial in Chaudhary’s murder case is still ongoing.

    Here are some of the key allegations made by Chief Engineer’s Wife:

    • Chaudhary had been complaining about being harassed by Anglo-Eastern in the lead-up to his death.
    • There were unusual marks on Chaudhary’s body, including a cut on his neck.
    • Key evidence, such as Chaudhary’s phone and laptop, had been destroyed.
    • Anglo-Eastern had a motive to kill Chaudhary, as he was about to expose the company’s illegal activities.

    The CBI’s chargesheet alleges that Chaudhary was murdered by three employees of Anglo-Eastern. The chargesheet says that they were angry with Chaudhary for refusing to participate in illegal activities, such as smuggling goods. The chargesheet also says that they were afraid that Chaudhary would expose the company’s illegal activities.

    rEAD HERE – Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case

    Impact of Suspension of RPSL of Anglo Eatsern

    The suspension only bars Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) from recruiting seafarers for three years. This order, though, will not affect Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) because it has a second RPSL license which was originally issued to Univan Ship Management Ltd, said a shipping industry source. This is allegedly against RPSL rules, he said.

    “The incident surrounding the death of Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary ideally called for a complete ban on Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India), which employs more than 20,000 seafarers on the ships it manages globally. The company, though, has been let off the hook with a three-year suspension. The company also has the right to appeal to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department against the suspension order,” the industry source said.

    Full Story : Anglo Eastern Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case – AESM RPSL Suspended

    “Yet the order conveys a strong and clear message to RPSL companies that you cannot play with the lives of seafarers,” the industry source said.

    “The recent order against Anglo Eastern Ship Management is historic in the shipping industry of India. Also, in this action, it is clear that the maritime administration allegedly indulged in corruption and partiality. The act of giving two RPSL licenses to a company is against the RPSL rules. Likewise, this order is further proof that DG Shipping has allegedly colluded with monopoly companies for their illegal activities against seafarers. This order has given justice to the deceased seafarer’s family,” said Ravi Veetil, National President, Sailors Union of India (SUI-BMS).

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    DG Shipping Suspension order – Read Full Official DSEO Order

    DG Shipping RPSL Order – DSEO Order dated 31/05/2023

    ln view of RPSL Company M/s Anglo Eastern ship Mgmt. (t) pvt. Ltd, Rps Licence bearing No’RPSL-MUM-088 is suspended for 03 years with immediate effect under the Rule 12 of Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement Service) Rules, 2016. However, the liabilities of the seafarers already recruited and presently on-board by the RPSL Company shall continue to be with M/s Anglo Eastern Ship Mgmt. (l) Pvt. Ltd, RPSL-MUM-088. The Bank Guarantee in original is withheld by this office for the said purpose.

    DG Shipping RPSL Order – DSEO Order dated 31/05/2023

    You can read the whole DSEO order by clicking on below mentioned link

    DSEO Order Dated 31-05-2023

    DG shipping on Anglo Eastern RPSL Case

    The Directorate General of Shipping, the regulatory body overseeing India’s maritime activities, has imposed a three-year suspension on Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt Ltd. 

    This Indian unit is affiliated with one of the leading ship management firms in the world, based in Hong Kong. The suspension is a consequence of the company’s violation of the recruitment and placement service rules for seafarers.

    The suspension order, issued on May 31 by the Seamen’s Employment Office, which is associated with the DG Shipping, followed an inquiry into the death of Sanjay Chaudhary, the Chief Engineer on board the Hong Kong-flagged ship M T Atlantic Olive, on April 17, 2018, while the ship was traveling from Malta to Cape Verde Islands under the management of Anglo Eastern.

    The investigation revealed that Anglo Eastern Ship Management had committed several violations of the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement Service) Rules, 2016, in relation to the incident. 

    The order suspending the license of Anglo Eastern Ship Management stated, “It has been determined that there was negligence on the part of the vessel’s Master, Capt. Santosh Achuthan. 

    As the Master, he had the duty to save the life of the seafarer on board, as he had 4 hours and 25 minutes of golden time available, which he failed to utilize diligently, resulting in the death of the late Shri Sanjay Chaudhary.”

    According to the DG Shipping RPSL Order stated in the DSEO Order dated May 31, 2023, the RPS License of M/S Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt. Ltd., bearing No. RPSL-MUM-088, is suspended for a period of 3 years, effective immediately, under Rule 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement Service) Rules, 2016. 

    However, the responsibilities for the seafarers already recruited and currently on board by the RPSL Company will remain with M/s Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt. Ltd., RPSL-MUM-088. 

    The original Bank Guarantee is being held by the DG Shipping for this purpose.

    The suspension only applies to the recruitment of seafarers by Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) for a period of three years. 

    However, it is worth noting that this order does not affect Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India) entirely, as the company holds a second RPSL license, originally issued to Univan Ship Management Ltd, according to a source in the shipping industry. This alleged violation of RPSL rules has raised concerns within the industry.

    The industry source stated, “The incident surrounding the death of Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary warranted a complete ban on Anglo Eastern Ship Management (India), considering it employs over 20,000 seafarers on the ships it manages worldwide. However, the company has been granted a three-year suspension. 

    The company also has the right to appeal to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, against the suspension order.”

    It is important to note that Anglo Eastern Maritime Services Private Limited still holds a valid RPSL license and is considered a subsidiary of Anglo Eastern.

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    Major Protest against Suspension of RPSL Anglo Eastern Ship Management by NUSI & Indian Seafarers

    The News of Suspension of RPSL of Major Shipping Company Anglo Eastern surfaced on 01-06-2023 and it shocked the Whole Shipping & Seafarers community across India.

    Because of this there is Huge chaos widespread among seafarers community along with their Family members.

    Anglo Eastern Reply to Indian Seafarers Regarding RPSL Suspension case

    Anglo Eastern on 01-June-2023 came up with a Official Announcement for its employees and seafarers to be Calm in this Chaotic situation and clarified the following:

    Major Protest against Suspension of RPSL Anglo Eastern Ship Management by NUSI & Indian Seafarers
    Major Protest against Suspension of RPSL Anglo Eastern Ship Management by NUSI & Indian Seafarers

    Anglo-Eastern has more than 20,000 Indian officers and crew presently in our employment. Our commitment to the employment, training, and wellbeing of Indian seafarers goes back 30 years and has been acknowledged many times over in the past three decades, most recently at the 2023 National Maritime Day Awards, where we were proud to be named the top foreign employer of Indian seafarers by the Directorate General of Shipping.

    It is now being alleged that we are prohibited from operating due to a license issue. To be clear we can confirm that we are discussing this matter with the Directorate of Seamen’s Employment arising from an ongoing case involving the natural death of a senior officer on board one of our managed vessels in 2018. We are legally prohibited from commenting on the case, however, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities since 2018 and we are absolutely certain that we will be able to continue to perform Indian manning services on behalf of many of the world’s largest and most reputed international shipping companies.

    In the meantime, rest assured that our operations remain business as usual. The ongoing discussion does not impact our day-to-day operations, our seafarers ashore or on board, or the continuity of the employment of seafarers and their confirmed joining schedules. We remain, as always, committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our seafarers and their families and look to a quick resolution.

    The Director, Seamens Employment Office, Mumbai has issued a circular no MMDMUM-14011(14)/1/2022-SEO/535/2023 dated 31st May, 2023. While we sympathise with the subject issue detailed in the said circular, the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) strongly registers our protest on the suspension of the license of M/s Anglo-Eastern Ship Management.

    As stated NUSI has always supported a proper inquiry in the matter, but the suspension of the licence is very harsh, arbitrary and uncalled for. We are extremely worried that this will directly result in loss of job of more than 20.000 Indian seafarers, in addition to tarnishing the collective image of reputed manning agents who operate from India.

    The damage is already done by this irresponsible circular. Who is going to provide jobs to these 20,000 Indian seafarers who will be put to lot of hardships for no fault of theirs. This will have serious repercussions, including political fallout, which the Ministry of Shipping will have to resolve. Surely there should have been a better way to deal with the situation rather than the suspension of the company which has been awarded Best Foreign Employer Award of Indian Seafarers more than a dozen times at the National Maritime Day.

    We demand recalling of the damaging circular. NUSI protest is only regarding the suspension and reiterate that the enquiry into the subject matter should be conducted to take it to its logical conclusion.

    Below is the Official statement from NUSI – National union Seafarers of India

    Major Protest against Suspension of RPSL Anglo Eastern Ship Management by NUSI & Indian Seafarers
    Major Protest against Suspension of RPSL Anglo Eastern Ship Management by NUSI & Indian Seafarers

    About Anglo eastern Ship Management

    Anglo-Eastern employs more than 20,000 Indian seafarers and is rightly viewed in the Indian maritime sector as an extremely strong brand of immense integrity akin to the reputed brand like ‘The House of Tatas’ in India. The Hong Kong-based company operates its own training centres in Mumbai, New Delhi and other locations worldwide, as well as one of India’s top cadet training academies of India that provides guaranteed employment to marine graduates. 

    Since the company’s official statement posted on social media, numerous Anglo-Eastern seafarers have come out to publicly voice their support of the ship manager, as have Indian seafarer unions.

    The executive added, “If India desires to be in the same league as developed countries and a country of choice for foreign businesses, it must stamp out corruption and ensure the rule of Law is sacrosanct by putting in place checks and balances to guard against such abuse of power. One government official’s unchecked, rogue action that has the potential to jeopardise the livelihoods of more than 20,000 Indian seafarers cannot be allowed to stand and a full inquiry into how this could happen is not only required, it is an absolute necessity. India’s reputation depends on it.

    A global leader, great politician and a man of impeccable integrity, Indian Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi recently said while addressing Indian bureaucrats: “Let national interest be your sole yardstick. Make national interest the sole basis of your every decision as the country has put its faith in you and the Indian bureaucracy must uphold that trust.

    People-centric governance solves problems and gives better results.  It is time to live up to the expectations and ensure that the dreams of youths are not crushed. Bureaucrats should become agents of change and innovation with an active attitude in the run-up to 100 years of India’s independence.”

    “The suspension of Anglo-Eastern Group’s RPSL licence is seen as a display of disrespect towards Modiji’s philosophy as such a rogue action by DG Shipping of India’s office is detrimental to the growth of the Indian ship management industry that generates employment for Indian youth in very large numbers every year, ” the executive said.

    A twist in the Tale

    Timeline of the Case – According to Late Sanjay’s Wife

    He was employed as Chief Engineer having the responsibility of the maintenance of machinery installed on the ship. Since the day he has boarded the ship, he used to call me via IMO calls at least 4-5 times a day to express his unwillingness to work with the company due to the persistent acrimonious behavior of the Captain and the clandestine involvement of the Company in illegal activities like smuggling, weapons, and drugs, etc.
    He told me that he had a heated argument with the Captain regarding the improper functioning of machinery as well as his indulgence in illegal activities. Captain however did not budge and threatened him with dire consequences. I suggested him to make a complaint to the senior officials, but he said that Captain works in close association with the senior management and thus complaining about him will be of no use.

    Anglo Eastern Chief Engineer Sanjay Chaudhary Murder Case – AESM RPSL Suspended

    On 15.4.2018 I again received a call from my husband who was feeling threatened that since he is now aware of the illegal activities of the Captain and other officials of the Company, he might be killed on the Ship. He apprehended serious danger to his life and limb. He told me that if something happens to him, I should take care of the family. I was alarmed and I asked him to leave the job and come back.

    Unfortunately, my fear came true on 17.4.2018, when I was informed about the sudden demise of my husband purportedly due to acute cardiac arrest while he was on duty.

    They tried their best to delay the process to the maximum extent they could and expressed their indifferent attitude towards my several requests of early transportation of mortal remains as well as a request from the Embassy of India, Dakar dated 20.4.2018.

    Further, when I received the mortal remains of my husband, I noticed some unusual swelling on his face and there were some cuts, marks, and lumps present on the body. When I enquired about this from Rajiv Kumar, who was present at the funeral, he had no answer which created suspicion in my mind about his death.

    I further enquired about these wound marks and lumps vide email dated 31.05.2018 to which they provided a mind-boggling response through email dated 11.06.2018 that they have checked with the doctor who performed the autopsy in Cape Verde and as per his version no facial injuries or other signs of aggression were observed on his body during the autopsy.
    My suspicion became graver when I found that some belongings of my husband, which were handed over to one of my relatives at the cremation ground itself were missing. The missing items consisted of all the electronics including laptop, mobile, pen drives, hard drives, etc., files, and documents, which could have thrown light on the circumstance of his death. I am sure these items are with them, which need to be recovered to ascertain the truth in the matter.

    Despite my several emails to the Company, to date, no satisfactory response has been given. On 31.5.2018, the company admitted that they could not find the missing articles. This threadbare reply made me clear that the electronics and documents of my husband have been misappropriated so that they cannot be used as evidence against them.

    My husband was in the habit of writing down his day-to-day life activities and I suspect that all his notes which could have been detrimental to the accused persons have been illegally removed.

    All the events right from (i) heated argument between my husband and the captain regarding his indulgence in illegal activities; (ii) fear of my husband about his life due to knowledge of the illegal activities on the Ship (iii) his suspicious and sudden death despite good health conditions (iv) inappropriate delay in the arrival of the body to India (v) unusual swelling and cuts on the body (vi) Missing belongings & (vii) Suspicious looking medical documents provided by the Company and (viii) non-disclosure of certain vital information, connect to each other and manifest that the accused persons are trying to conceal their criminal acts committed by them through a well-hatched conspiracy.

    All the above-mentioned facts and circumstances sufficiently manifest the role of the Captain and other Company Officials in demonstrating a murder as natural death and in causing destruction of evidence through a well-hatched criminal conspiracy. To date, the company officials have not provided me with complete information regarding the functioning of the company and the details of the ship. They are just arm-twisting the facts and providing me selective information which they consider appropriate and which does not go against their interests.

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