Centre tells SC: Little hope of tracing two sailors missing after drone strike on merchant ship
The government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that there is very little hope of locating two Indian seafarers who have been missing since a drone attack on a merchant vessel in late July. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, submitted a combined action-taken report from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration before the apex court bench.
The two missing sailors have been identified as Deepak Kumar Gupta and Ram Chandra Dubey. They were crew members of the Palau-flagged ship M V AGN Ragnar, which was attacked on July 25 while departing Ukrainian waters. The incident occurred amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, leading to immediate search and rescue efforts.
According to the report, despite intense search and rescue operations conducted by multiple agencies, no trace of the two seafarers has been found. The government expressed that there remains little hope of tracing them, a statement that underscores the grim situation for their families.
In response, the Supreme Court directed the government to facilitate the families of the missing sailors in availing maritime insurance payments. This direction is aimed at providing some measure of financial relief to the families who have been waiting for news of their loved ones for over a month.
The court's intervention highlights the need to ensure that families of seafarers are not left without support in cases of maritime incidents. Insurance mechanisms exist to compensate for loss or injury at sea, and the court's directive seeks to streamline access to such benefits.
The case also brings attention to the broader issue of safety of Indian seafarers working in conflict-prone waters. Hundreds of Indian crew members are employed on merchant vessels that traverse routes near active conflict zones. The attack on M V AGN Ragnar is a reminder of the risks faced by these workers.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration have been coordinating efforts with international agencies and the ship's management company. Search operations were carried out in coordination with maritime authorities in the region. However, the vastness of the sea and the circumstances of the attack have complicated these efforts.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court's directive on insurance is significant because maritime insurance claims can be complex and time-consuming. Families often struggle with documentation and procedural hurdles. The court's push will likely encourage expedited processing of claims.
The families of Deepak Kumar Gupta and Ram Chandra Dubey have been in contact with officials, seeking updates. Their prolonged wait has been a source of anguish. The government's admission that there is little hope, while sobering, at least provides some clarity about the search outcome.
The matter is set to be heard further, as the court monitors the implementation of its directive regarding insurance facilitation. The government is expected to provide a follow-up report on the steps taken in this regard.
This incident also raises questions about the protocols in place for protecting seafarers aboard vessels operating near conflict zones. International maritime organizations have repeatedly called for safe passage and the protection of civilian crews. The attack on a commercial vessel is a violation of international norms, and the need for accountability remains.
For now, the families await the formalities that may bring some closure. The court's intervention ensures that they are not forgotten in the administrative process.
