New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to use diplomatic channels to trace an Indian seafarer who has been missing since his cargo ship was struck by drones in the Black Sea on July 25.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain instructions from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and the Embassy of India in Bucharest, Romania, and ascertain the whereabouts of Deepak Kumar Gupta, who was aboard the cargo vessel MV AGN Ragnar. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Friday.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Sandeep Kumar Gupta, the missing seafarer’s elder brother, seeking directions to the MEA to coordinate with Indian embassies in Ukraine and Romania to initiate search and rescue efforts.
According to the plea, the family repeatedly wrote to the MEA and the Indian embassies between July 26 and July 30, requesting assistance. However, they allegedly received neither a response nor any assurance regarding efforts to locate the missing crew member.
Deepak Gupta, 22, went missing after the merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members came under a drone attack near Ukraine’s Odesa port. He was serving as a crew member aboard MV AGN Ragnar at the time of the incident.
Originally from Siwan district in Bihar, Deepak Gupta’s family has been residing in Bharataul village in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, for several years. His family has urged the Indian government to intensify diplomatic efforts to locate him and ensure his safe return.
