Indian merchant navy officer trapped in Venezuela, mother appeals to PM Modi, son from Himachal included in Russian tanker crew
Shimla. A 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, one of the three Indians among the crew of a Russian-flagged tanker recently seized by the US, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his safe return to India.
According to family members, Rakshit Chauhan was first sent to Venezuela by his Russian employer as part of a maritime assignment. He was aboard the tanker ‘Marinera’ with a crew of 28, which was seized by the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic Ocean on January 7.
Rakshit’s mother Rita Devi appealed to the Prime Minister on Sunday, saying, “Please ensure the safe return of my son Rakshit.”
Speaking to reporters in Palampur in Kangra district, Rita Devi said that Rakshit’s marriage is to take place on February 19. “We last spoke to Rakshit on January 7 and we are praying to God that he returns safely,” he said.
He also appealed to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister to ensure the safe return of the two other Indian members from Goa and Kerala. Family members told that Rakshit had joined the Merchant Navy on August 1, 2025. According to his father Ranjit Singh Chauhan, the Russian company had earlier sent Rakshit to Venezuela to collect oil as part of a maritime assignment, but the ship was stopped at the border.
He said the company called back the ship after waiting for 10 days at the border, when US authorities seized it. Ranjit Singh Chauhan said that Palampur MLA had contacted Rakshit.
Has sought information and assured that he will go to Shimla and raise this matter with the Chief Minister. When the ship was seized, there were 28 crew members on board, including three Indians, 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians and two Russians. All the crew members are currently in custody.
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