Merchant Navy sailor vanishes en route to Turkey, family seeks government intervention

In a distressing turn of events, the family of Ankit Saklani, a seasoned merchant navy sailor, has sought the intervention of the Uttarakhand government as he mysteriously went missing from a ship en route to a port in Turkey. Ankit, employed with Mumbai-based firm Elvis Ship Management, joined the company on December 1 and has been missing since December 18, leaving his family in turmoil. 

The situation unfolded when Ankit's wife, Pinky Saklani, received concerning messages from her husband, just 10 days after he commenced his tenure with Elvis Ship Management. Initially, the first few days seemed normal, but Ankit's messages took a worrisome turn as he expressed his distress and a strong desire to return. On December 11, Ankit messaged Pinky, indicating that if anything untoward happens to him, the company would bear responsibility.  

Pinky Saklani, sharing her ordeal, stated, "I contacted the Mumbai-based firm, and the agents, Dinesh Jaiswal and another woman, who recruited him, informed me that signoff could only be initiated once the ship reaches the Turkey port on December 18." 

Sudden tragedy and allegations of foul play 

Despite assurances of a signoff on December 18, the day took a tragic turn. Pinky received a distressing call from the company at 5 pm, revealing that Ankit had allegedly jumped off the vessel just before it was set to dock at the Turkish port. The abruptness of the incident has raised suspicions within the family, prompting Ankit's brother to write a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging a thorough investigation. 

Pinky Saklani has accused the company of attempting to label the incident as a suicide, expressing skepticism about the narrative presented by Elvis Ship Management. She highlighted the company's sudden silence, stating, "For two to three days, the company claimed a search operation was underway, but now they have stopped responding to our messages." 

In a bid to seek justice and clarity, the family has also approached the Turkey Embassy, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Ankit Saklani's disappearance. Ankit, a resident of Dehradun and a father to a four-year-old daughter, leaves behind a distraught family grappling with unanswered questions and suspicions surrounding the unsettling turn of events. The Uttarakhand government's intervention is now crucial to unveiling the truth behind this mysterious disappearance.