Sandeep Yadav sailed with other crew members on MT Jag Pushpa, the vessel which was transporting oil and chemicals from Vadinar in Gujarat to Maputo in Mozambique, on February 22.
The accumulated stress of the past few days have been just too much for 55-year-old Sarla Yadav to handle. Her youngest son, Sandeep, who is a trainee officer in the merchant navy, has been missing since March 2.
Sandeep Yadav sailed with other crew members on MT Jag Pushpa, the vessel which was transporting oil and chemicals from Vadinar in Gujarat to Maputo in Mozambique, on February 22. With mystery surrounding his disappearance, Mr Yadav's family in Bhopal now suspects foul play.
With mystery surrounding Sandeep Yadav disappearance, Mr Yadav's family in Bhopal now suspects foul play.
Amit Kumar, his brother-in-law, said, "The captain of the ship, Sandeep's room partner and other crew members seems to have been briefed as to what they have to say about the incident. Even the company officials are saying the exact same thing. Even a FIR (police case) has not been registered. Company officials are avoiding our calls."
NDTV tried contacting Mr Yadav's employers, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited in Mumbai, but they did not respond to queries. Mr Yadav's family claims the company officials told them he was last seen sleeping in his cabin on March 2. The next morning they say he disappeared when the ship was near Somalia.
Since then, the family has approached everyone from the Centre to the local police.
Arvind Saxena, Superintendent of Police, North Bhopal told NDTV, "I have discussed about investigation in this case with the Director General Shipping. An official has been sent to Maputo to investigate. He will speak to the crew and file a report which they will share with us."
What troubles Mr Yadav's family the most is how he could have disappeared from the ship in the middle of the sea with no one in the crew knowing about it.