The Indian government has informed the Supreme Court that Omani authorities are investigating alleged ransom calls involving the missing Merchant Navy Captain Ashish Kumar. The captain's family claims to have received demands for ₹20 lakh in exchange for his release following a March 2026 maritime attack.
- Centre tells Supreme Court about Omani investigation into ransom calls
- Family claims demands for ₹20 lakh for missing captain's release
- DNA profiling of skeletal remains impossible due to severe burns
During the August 31 hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that
DNA profiling of skeletal remains recovered from the vessel, MT Skylight, was impossible due to the severity of the burns, leaving the captain's fate scientifically unconfirmed. The case, filed as Anshu Kumari versus Union of India and Ors. (W.P.(Crl.) No. 322/2026), centers on the events of March 1, 2026, when the vessel came under missile or drone attack near the Khasab Port in the Strait of Hormuz. Of the 20 crew members on board, 18 were rescued, while Captain Ashish Kumar and one other Indian crew member remained missing. Although initial reports suggested skeletal remains found in the captain's cabin were his, the Indian Embassy in Muscat informed the family in May that identification could not be conclusively established.
The petitioner, Anshu Kumari, has raised concerns regarding electronic evidence, including
WhatsApp messages delivered hours after the attack and manual changes to the captain's WhatsApp profile on March 31, 2026. The family is demanding the preservation of critical records, including the vessel's Voyage Data Recorder, communication logs, IMEI location data, and telecom records. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, directed the petitioner's counsel to review the status report submitted by the Centre, with further proceedings scheduled for Monday.
