The family of an Indian sailor killed in an attack off the coast of Oman has approached the Bombay High Court seeking DNA testing of the mortal remains, alleging contradictory statements from the company and a lack of clarity on the part of the authorities.
On April 6, the Bombay High Court asked the Directorate General of Shipping, under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to clearly state its stand on a petition seeking DNA testing of Dixit Solanki’s remains, Live Law reported.
The report also said that the bench led by Chief Justice Shri Chandrashekar and Justice Gautam Angkhad was told that only “charred bones” could be recovered from the ship, MKD Vyom, where Solanki was working as an oiler in the engine room.
Read also | The HC will hear Solanki’s family’s plea today regarding his DNA confirmation
The case is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, when the court is expected to issue orders for DNA tests to be conducted through the relevant government agencies.
The family is giving mixed signals
The family alleged inconsistent communications from the authorities and the company linked to the ship.
The lawyer representing the family cited an email sent by DG Shipping’s office in Mumbai to Solanki’s father on April 6, which itself acknowledged the need for a DNA test. But when the court asked the authority to clarify its official position, its lawyer asked for more time to respond. The order has now been published for April 7th.
The family said in their petition that they had not obtained any documents confirming whether a post-mortem examination or DNA identification had been conducted. With no reliable way to identify the remains, they urged the court to order DNA testing before proceeding with the last rites, HT reported earlier.
The petition also points out the procedural loopholes the family faces. The Consulate General of India in Dubai informed them that it does not have the capacity or expertise to collect and preserve DNA samples, and that the process cannot be carried out without assistance from local authorities. The consulate advised them to take a DNA test in India after returning the remains.
Later, the family approached Kandivali police for help, but were allegedly told that the authorities could not facilitate the test. This prompted them to file a new petition before the Supreme Court.
The remains of the 25-year-old arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, where they were received by his father and sister at the airport’s cargo lounge, PTI reported, citing the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI).
Dixit Solanki was killed on March 4 when a drone boat loaded with explosives collided with an oil tanker off the coast of Oman during the conflict in West Asia.
The Solankis family has requested that all investigations and forensic records be shared with them.
