The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to use diplomatic channels to trace an Indian seafarer who went missing after a cargo vessel was attacked by drones in the Black sea near Ukraine.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition concerning Deepak Kumar Gupta, who was serving as an ordinary seaman on MV AGN Ragnar.

The Court noted that conflicting reports had emerged about the fate of the missing seafarers.

“This is a matter which requires your immediate urgent intervention. The petitioner's brother Deepak Kumar Gupta was one of the Indian seafarers. He was serving as ordinary seaman, and their ship was attacked by drones near Ukraine. Now there are misleading or conflicting reports coming. One report says all four seamen were drowned, the other says that two are alive and not dead,” CJI Surya Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The ship was attacked near Ukraine on July 25. There were nine crew members on board, including four Indians. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine subsequently said that two of the four Indian nationals were safe, while information regarding the other two was awaited. Search and rescue operations were undertaken for the missing seafarers.

Counsel for the petitioner told the Court that two of the four Indian crew members were rescued with the help of the Romanian Coast Guard, the other two had to jump into the water to escape the fire.

The CJI asked whether the Indian embassies in Romania and Ukraine or the MEA had information about what had happened to them.

“They must be in the know of the facts. Whenever earliest your lordships can keep it, I'll take instructions,” Mehta responded.

The Court then issued notice on the plea and asked the Solicitor General to immediately obtain instructions from the Indian embassies in Ukraine and Romania regarding Gupta's whereabouts. The Court also directed the MEA to use diplomatic channels to search for Gupta.

“We have impressed upon him to seek immediate instructions from the Indian embassies in Ukraine as well as in Romania to gather information about the whereabouts of petitioner's brother (Deepak Kumar Gupta). We also direct the Ministry of External Affairs to use their diplomatic channels in searching for the missing person,” the Court ordered.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel submitted that reports had emerged over the weekend that two persons had been rescued by Romanian authorities. He said that when the petition was filed, reports had stated that two Indians had been rescued, but that news was subsequently taken down.

He submitted that international media reports suggested that the two persons reportedly rescued could be the two missing Indian seafarers. However, he said there had been no consular access or contact with them. He also raised an apprehension about possible human trafficking.

Justice Bagchi referred to a letter from an agent of the insurer which stated that two persons had been rescued and were in the custody of Romanian authorities.

“The insurer has said two persons were rescued and under the custody of the Romanian authorities. Now, that has not been accepted by any of the port states. So let the Government of India get clarity on this,” Justice Bagchi said.

Justice Bagchi also referred to a reply given by the government in Parliament concerning Indian seamen and the protocol to be followed in case of accident, and asked whether the requirements had been complied with. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government would examine the issue.

The Court directed the MEA to also apprise it regarding the applicability and compliance with the IMO framework on fair treatment of seafarers.

The matter will be heard again on Friday.

Case no. – W.P.(C) No. 943/2026

Case Title – SANDEEP KUMAR GUPTA Vs UNION OF INDIA