Missing sailor’s body found in sea off Turkiye | India News – Times of India
DEHRADUN: The body of a 34-year-old merchant navy seaman, Ankit Saklani, a resident of Dehradun who allegedly went missing from his commercial ship during its voyage from Russia to Turkiye on December 18, was recovered from the sea by the coast guard near the port city of Izmir on Thursday.
Confirming the development, a senior police officer privy to the case told TOI on the condition of anonymity that, “Captain of the ship told Turkish authorities that before the incident, on December 16, during lunch, Ankit had hit his head with a ketchup bottle causing some minor head injuries.After that he spoke to his wife Pinky to inquire if he has any health issues. To that, his wife said that he was suffering from psychological issues for which he was taking antidepressants for nine years. She even sent him photos of his prescription and medicines.”
The officer added, “The captain said on December 18, after breakfast at 8.55am, Saklani pushed away crew members and jumped into the sea. To save him, a lifebuoy was thrown at him but instead of grabbing it he swam away from the ship and drowned after five minutes.” TOI has a copy of the statement recorded by the Turkish authorities on December 19 as part of their probe into the matter.
Both the incidents were video recorded by the crew members and shared with Turkish authorities for further examination, the officer further said.
Meanwhile, Saklani’s brother Nishant, told TOI that the Indian embassy in Turkiye has also confirmed the development. “We have asked them to send us photographs of the body for verification. We still believe that he was tortured and murdered by the crew,” Nishant said.
Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh, who was earlier approached by Ankit’s family with their complaint when Ankit “went missing”, said, “The case is now being handled by the higher authorities. However, we have assured the family of all required support.”
Confirming the development, a senior police officer privy to the case told TOI on the condition of anonymity that, “Captain of the ship told Turkish authorities that before the incident, on December 16, during lunch, Ankit had hit his head with a ketchup bottle causing some minor head injuries.After that he spoke to his wife Pinky to inquire if he has any health issues. To that, his wife said that he was suffering from psychological issues for which he was taking antidepressants for nine years. She even sent him photos of his prescription and medicines.”
The officer added, “The captain said on December 18, after breakfast at 8.55am, Saklani pushed away crew members and jumped into the sea. To save him, a lifebuoy was thrown at him but instead of grabbing it he swam away from the ship and drowned after five minutes.” TOI has a copy of the statement recorded by the Turkish authorities on December 19 as part of their probe into the matter.
Both the incidents were video recorded by the crew members and shared with Turkish authorities for further examination, the officer further said.
Meanwhile, Saklani’s brother Nishant, told TOI that the Indian embassy in Turkiye has also confirmed the development. “We have asked them to send us photographs of the body for verification. We still believe that he was tortured and murdered by the crew,” Nishant said.
Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh, who was earlier approached by Ankit’s family with their complaint when Ankit “went missing”, said, “The case is now being handled by the higher authorities. However, we have assured the family of all required support.”
