Navyman Sahil Verma Remains Missing; Family Seeks CBI Probe
On February 27, an Indian Navy seaman, Sahil Verma, went missing from a naval ship. The Western Naval Command in Mumbai launched a comprehensive search operation; however, despite a massive Navy search operation involving multiple ships and aircraft, there has been no sign of Verma yet.
The missing seaman’s family has called for a CBI probe into the strange disappearance of their son. Seeking intervention from the highest authorities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, the family hopes for swift action.
Eight days after Navyman Sahil Verma mysteriously disappeared from a ship, his family is left distraught and desperate for answers. Mr. Chander, Verma’s father, questioned how a soldier could vanish from a naval ship without a trace. “It is astonishing that a soldier went missing from his naval ship and is not traceable. I have been told that the CCTV cameras installed on the ship did not find anyone falling into the sea. Then where is my son?” he said, as quoted by PTI.
While the Western Naval Command has initiated a high-level board of inquiry to locate Sahil Verma, his mother, Rama Kumari, suspects foul play and alleges a cover-up. “There were 400 people on board the ship, and only my son went missing. My prayers and demands are only that my son returns safe and sound,” she said.
In an unfortunate incident, Sahil Verma, Seaman II, has been reported missing at sea from Indian Naval Ship whilst on deployment since 27 Feb 24. The Navy immediately launched a massive search operation with ships and aircraft, which is still continuing. pic.twitter.com/bEHLkhye5o
— Western Naval Command (@IN_WNC) March 2, 2024
The family”s ordeal began with a distressing phone call on February 29, two days after Verma’s disappearance, informing them of their son. “We last talked to him on Sunday (February 25), and nothing is known (about) what happened to him,” Mr. Chander added.
Mr. Verma”s maternal uncle, Gautam, raised questions about the ship”s movements following the incident. “We have heard that the ship returned to base for a day before leaving again. How is it possible that he went missing from the ship?” he asked. He further added that the family should have been informed within 24 hours of the incident, along with setting up an inquiry, but action was taken after two days.
