The Union Government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that two Indian seafarers who went missing after cargo vessel MV AGN Ragnar was attacked in the Black Sea near Ukraine could not be located despite exhaustive search and rescue operations undertaken by the Ukrainian authorities, the Romanian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the Romanian Coast Guard and associated rescue services.
“As regard to the latest status, it is pointed out that as per the information received up to 5th August 2026, extensive SAR operations undertaken by Ukrainian authority, Romanian MRCC, Romanian Coast Guard and associated rescue services were unable to locate Mr. Deepak Kumar Gupta and Mr. Ramachandra. It is stated that search operations presently remain suspended pending receipt of fresh information while DGMA continues to pursue all pending investigation and SAR reports and remains engaged with all concerned stakeholders”, the Court noted.
Taking note of the submissions, the Court asked the Centre to facilitate insurance claims for the families of the missing seafarers.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition concerning Deepak Kumar Gupta, an ordinary seaman who went missing after the vessel was attacked by drones in the Black Sea near Ukraine on July 25.
On August 3, the Court had directed the Ministry of External Affairs to use diplomatic channels to trace Deepak Kumar Gupta after noting conflicting reports regarding the fate of the two missing Indian seafarers. The Court had also asked the Union Government to apprise it of compliance with the IMO framework on the fair treatment of seafarers.
Today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta placed a combined action taken report prepared by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA). He submitted that despite efforts, the missing seafarers could not be traced.
Justice Bagchi observed that the employment contracts of the seamen provided for insurance and suggested that insurance claims be facilitated for the families so that they could receive financial assistance. “Insurance claims in respect of the seamen, because the contracts stipulate an insurance. That can be enabled or facilitated for the family.”
When the petitioner’s counsel sought to raise objections regarding statements made in the media by the Union Government, Justice Bagchi declined to entertain the issue.
“We are not concerned with media. We are concerned with the litigation, with the requirement of the family. So forget about media, whatever misinformation in media, let the media enjoy,” Justice Bagchi remarked.
The Chief Justice referred to the communication placed on record by the Indian Embassy in Romania, noting that it detailed the search operations carried out with helicopters, rescue vessels and Coast Guard assets before concluding that, despite exhaustive efforts, the two missing crew members could not be located.
The petitioner’s counsel, however, submitted that the embassy’s account related only to the position as on July 26 and highlighted that no search and rescue operations had been conducted thereafter.
Mehta submitted that there was no practical purpose in continuing search and rescue operations in the sea after several days, but stated that the authorities were maintaining continuous follow-up with all stakeholders.
According to the status report filed by the Union Government, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) received updates from the vessel management confirming that the Romanian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) had not located the two missing crew members despite exhaustive search and rescue efforts. The report states that search operations remain suspended pending fresh information.
After considering the status report, the Court adjourned the matter and directed the Union Government to file a fresh status report on the efforts made in the meantime. It also observed that insurance claims should be facilitated.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that on August 5, the first officer of the vessel, who survived the incident, spoke with the Indian Ambassador to Romania. He submitted that the Romanian authorities had indicated that they would resume searches if fresh information was provided.
He pointed out that the first officer, an eyewitness to the incident, had not yet been debriefed by any Indian authority despite being back in India. He urged the Ministry of External Affairs or the Directorate General of Shipping to debrief him so that he could provide details regarding the coordinates, sea conditions and the circumstances in which the missing crew members entered the water.
The Chief Justice, however, asked the petitioner’s counsel to first go through the status report.
Case no. – W.P.(C) No. 943/2026
Case Title – Sandeep Kumar Gupta v. Union of India
