SC seeks government help to trace Indian sailor missing after Black Sea drone strike

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stepped in to help trace an Indian sailor who went missing after a cargo ship carrying Indian crew members 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 heard a plea filed by Sandeep Kumar Gupta, the elder brother of missing sailor Deepak Kumar Gupta. The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek details from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and the Embassy of India in Bucharest, Romania, regarding Deepak’s whereabouts.

The matter has now been listed for hearing on Friday.

Family seeks diplomatic assistance

The petition filed before the Supreme Court requested directions to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to coordinate with Indian diplomatic missions in Ukraine and Romania and begin search and rescue efforts for Deepak Gupta.

The family claimed that they had repeatedly approached the Union government and Indian embassies between July 26 and July 30 but did not receive any response or assurance regarding steps being taken to locate him.

According to the plea, a 22-year-old sailor, Deepak, was working as a crew member on the merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar when it came under attack near Ukraine’s Odesa port.

Court seeks update on missing sailor

Deepak Kumar Gupta’s family is originally from Siwan district in Bihar and has been residing in Bharataul village in Bareilly district for several years. His disappearance has left the family seeking immediate assistance from authorities.

The Supreme Court proceedings are focused on the family’s request for support from the MEA and Indian diplomatic missions to trace the missing sailor and ensure necessary rescue efforts.

The court’s direction comes as the family continues to await information about Deepak’s location and safety following the attack on the vessel in the conflict-affected Black Sea region.