Merchant Sailor Goes missing In Sea; Crew Inform He Killed Himself; Family Allege Kidnap/Murder

A merchant navy sailor from Nehru Gram, Dehradun has gone missing while sailing on the Russia-Turkey route and it has been ten days since the family lost contact with the 34-year-old Ankit Saklani. But Ankit’s family was informed by the ship’s staff that Ankit killed himself by jumping into the sea. Ankit’s family, however, suspects that he would be murdered or kidnapped.

When the family approached Dehradun Senior Superintendent Of Police (SSP) seeking assistance, SSP Ajai Singh advised them to contact Mumbai Deputy Commissioner Of Police (DCP).  Ajai Singh also said that he assured all his support and asked them to visit the shipping company in Mumbai.

“We have assured them of all support. At the same time, I asked them to visit the registered office of the shipping firm in Mumbai and contact the staff and owners to make the picture clear.” He also said that he wrote to Mumbai DCP requesting him to investigate the case.

“I have written to the DCP sharing details of the case and requested him to look into it. The initial probe can be handled by the Mumbai police. If any step is not taken by them, we will take up the matter on our own,” Singh said.

Raising the suspicion of the family about the potential murder or kidnap, the messages from Ankit to his wife on December 11 and 12, saying “things were not alright” were indicative of some fuel play in the ship. Ankit had also messaged that if something happens to him, it should be considered the “work of a crew member,” Ankit’s brother Nishant said. Notably, six days later, the staff informed the family that Ankit had jumped into the sea, killing himself.

After joining the shipping company on December 1, Ankit appeared “unhappy with the work culture and had suspicious about his well-being.” Ankit had also told the family that his work was on a ship travelling to Turkey from Russia.

“The ship was supposed to reach Turkey port on December 18, and Ankit was scheduled to sign off from duty. There is no reason he would end his life on the day he was to return home,” Nishant said

Nishant also said that they have informed the External Affair Ministry, the embassy of Turkey, the prime minister’s office, and Uttarakhand chief minister, but they haven’t got any help yet.