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- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:49 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district has been detained after a Russian-flagged oil tanker he was serving on was seized by United States forces in the North Atlantic, barely weeks before his scheduled wedding. The incident has triggered concern among family members and prompted appeals to the Indian government for urgent intervention.
Rakshit Chauhan, a resident of Palampur in Kangra, was among three Indian nationals on board the oil tanker Marinera, earlier known as Bella 1. The vessel was intercepted by the US Coast Guard on January 7 following a prolonged maritime pursuit that reportedly began in the Caribbean Sea and extended into the North Atlantic.
First Sea Assignment Turns Tragic
According to the family, Rakshit had joined the merchant navy in August 2025 and had embarked on his maiden sea assignment with a Russian shipping company. He was sent to Venezuela as part of the vessel’s operations involving crude oil transportation. The tanker allegedly came under scrutiny for transporting oil linked to Venezuela in violation of international sanctions.
Family members said they last spoke to Rakshit on January 7, just hours before the tanker was seized. Since then, there has been no direct contact, deepening their anxiety.
Rakshit’s mother, Reeta Devi, has made an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure her son’s safe return to India. Speaking to reporters in Palampur, she said the family had been preparing for Rakshit’s wedding, scheduled for February 19. “We are praying every day for his safety. Please help bring my son back home,” she said to PTI, adding that two other Indian crew members from Goa and Kerala were also detained on the same vessel.
Rakshit’s father, Ranjit Singh Chauhan, said the ship had been waiting near the border for several days before being called back by the company. “Soon after that, we learnt the ship had been seized by US authorities,” he said.
Details of Seized Tanker
The Marinera had a total crew of 28, including 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, two Russians and three Indians. US officials have stated that the tanker is suspected to be part of a network used to bypass sanctions related to Venezuelan, Iranian and Russian oil shipments. Investigations are currently underway into the vessel’s ownership and chartering arrangements.
While two Russian crew members were reportedly released, the remaining crew, including the Indian nationals, continue to be held as the legal process unfolds.
The Ministry of External Affairs has said it is closely monitoring the developments and is in the process of gathering detailed information about the Indian citizens detained on board. Local political representatives in Himachal Pradesh have also assured the family that the matter will be taken up with the state and central authorities. As the investigation continues, Rakshit’s family hopes diplomatic efforts will lead to his early release, allowing him to return home safely ahead of his wedding.