The parents of Indian Navy sailor Sahil Verma, who has been missing for a week, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention and a CBI probe into the circumstances leading to his “mysterious disappearance” at sea from a naval ship.
Verma, a seaman in the Indian Navy, went missing from a naval ship — where he was deployed — on February 27. Soon after, the naval authorities launched a massive search operation to trace and find him.
The sailor’s parents Subash Chander and Rama Kumari — who live in Jammu’s Ghou Manhasan area — sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure that their son returns home safely.
“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?” Chander told news agency PTI.
Verma’s relatives and well wisher have continuously been visiting their home to extend their support and pray for the sailor’s return.
Earlier, the Western Naval Command — headquartered in Mumbai — termed the seaman’s disappearance as “unfortunate”, adding that a high-level board of inquiry has been ordered.
In a post on X, the Western Naval Command said, “In an unfortunate incident, Sahil Verma, Seaman II, has been reported missing at sea from (an) Indian Naval Ship whilst on deployment since February 27, 2024. The Navy immediately launched a massive search operation with ships and aircraft, which is still continuing.”
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