India, July 21 -- A special court in Mumbai on Monday sentenced 44 Somalian nationals to life imprisonment in two different cases on charges of piracy and other offences.

The court also appreciated the bravery of Indian Navy in discharging legal and international duty in letter and spirit by taking all cost and risk. While imposing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment, Special Judge S B Dige noted that the offences committed by the accused persons were serious in nature. All the 44 accused, comprising 35 in one case and nine in the other, had pleaded guilty before the court and had urged for leniency.

The court said it was aware of the poor condition of the accused persons and the fact that they have voluntarily pleaded guilty. "...