The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear a petition filed by the family of Dixit Solanki, a 25-year-old Indian seafarer who was killed in a maritime drone attack off the coast of Oman. The plea seeks urgent directions to the Union government to ensure the timely return of his mortal remains to India for final rites.
The petition, filed by Solanki’s father, Amratlal, and sister, Mitali, is slated for a hearing on April 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar. The family alleges a significant lack of clarity and coordination between government authorities and the shipping company following the incident.
Dixit Solanki was serving aboard the oil tanker MT MKD Vyom when it was struck by an explosive-laden drone boat on March 4. The attack occurred amid escalating maritime tensions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Solanki is reportedly the first Indian casualty resulting from these regional hostilities.
Despite nearly a month passing since the fatal attack, the family remains in the dark regarding the status of the remains. Represented by advocates S.B. Talekar and Madhvi Ayyappan, the petitioners claim they have been forced to “run from pillar to post” while authorities continue to “pass the buck.”
The plea invokes Article 21 of the Constitution of India, asserting that the fundamental right to dignity extends to a person even after death. The family contends that they have a constitutionally protected right to receive the remains of their loved one to perform traditional final rites.
“The petitioners have been running from pillar to post to get the correct state of affairs… However, the authorities are just passing the buck from one to another,” the plea states. It further highlights that maritime regulations and international guidelines impose a legal obligation on relevant bodies to ensure proper handling and repatriation in the event of a death at sea.
The petition names the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Directorate General of Shipping, and V Ships India Pvt Ltd (the vessel’s manager) as respondents.
The family alleges:
- Lack of Transparency: Complete opaqueness regarding the steps taken to recover and preserve the body.
- Inaction: Failure by authorities to take concrete measures to ensure the remains do not deteriorate.
- Poor Communication: The family claims they received only vague email responses from the vessel owners stating that “efforts are underway,” without providing specific timelines or progress reports.
In addition to the repatriation, the Solankis have requested the court to direct the authorities to share all investigation and forensic records related to the incident and Dixit’s death.
