A young merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh is among three Indian nationals detained by United States authorities after the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. The family of 26-year-old Rakshit Chauhan has made a desperate appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs to secure his safe and swift return to India.
Family's Desperate Plea for Safe Return
Rakshit Chauhan, a resident of Kangra district, was on his very first sea assignment when the vessel, the oil tanker Marinera, was intercepted and seized by the US Coast Guard on January 7. His mother, Reeta Devi, directly appealed to the Prime Minister, saying, "Please ensure safe return of my son Rakshit." The situation is particularly urgent as the young officer's wedding is scheduled for February 19.
"We talked to Rakshit for the last time on January 7 and are praying to God for his safe return before that date," his mother lamented in a statement. She also highlighted the plight of the two other Indian crew members, from Goa and Kerala, appealing for the safe return of all three.
Details of the Maritime Seizure
Rakshit Chauhan began his career in the merchant navy on August 1, 2025, and was posted by a Russian company to the Marinera. His father, Ranjit Singh Chauhan, explained that the vessel was en route to Venezuela when it was stopped near a border. After a 10-day wait, the company ordered the ship to turn back. However, before it could return, the United States seized the tanker in the North Atlantic, detaining the entire crew.
The tanker had a total of 28 crew members onboard at the time of the seizure. The multinational crew consisted of three Indians, 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, and two Russians. All are currently under detention by US authorities.
Local Political Intervention and Ongoing Efforts
In response to the crisis, local officials in Himachal Pradesh have stepped in. Rakshit's father confirmed that local authorities have sought details about his son's situation. Furthermore, the Palampur MLA has assured the Chauhan family that he will visit Shimla to take up the matter directly with the state's Chief Minister to escalate it to the central government.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Indian nationals working on international vessels in geopolitically sensitive waters. The family's hope now rests on diplomatic channels being activated promptly to bring Rakshit and his fellow Indian crew members home safely before his impending wedding.
