After Nearly A Month, Indian Sailor's Family Moves Bombay HC To Bring Remains Home

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 13:53 IST

On March 18, the firm notified the family that the body had been recovered and transferred to forensic officials.

The family of Dixit Amratlal Solanki, a 32-year-old seafarer, who was killed in a suspected missile strike on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, approached the Bombay High Court on Thursday to bring his mortal remains back home.

The family’s move came after waiting for more than a month to receive the body of the seafarer.

The family has alleged that there was no clarity from the authorities on when they will be able to lay Dixit Solanki to rest.

His father, Amratlal Gokal Solanki (64), and sister, Mitali Solanki (33), have sought directions to expedite the repatriation of Solanki’s remains, citing Article 21 of the Constitution that assures the right to dignity even after death.

Solanki worked as an oiler aboard MT MKD Vyom, according to a report in the Indian Express. He was on duty on March 1 when the vessel was hit by a missile during the escalation caused by Iran, the United States and Israel.

The company informed that the missile strike led to an explosion and a breach in the engine room, making him the first Indian casualty of the West Asia war.

On March 2, Dixit was initially reported missing but was later located near the site of the hull breach. He was declared dead by the ship’s master. While all the other 21 crew members were reported safe and unharmed.

As of March 30, eight Indian nationals have reportedly lost their lives amid the ongoing conflict situation in the West Asia region since the war broke out on February 28.

According to the petition filed in the Bombay High Court, the seafarer’s sister, Mitali Solanki, kept sending messages to the company asking for updates on his condition and the return of his remains.

For nearly two weeks, the family got a string of similar email responses mentioning that efforts were in progress to locate and bring back the body. However, no clear details or a timeline were mentioned.

On March 18, the firm notified the family that the body had been recovered and transferred to forensic officials.

Only afterward, via correspondence from the Indian Consulate in Dubai, did the family learn that skeletal remains had been found and would be passed to Sharjah Police.

News india After Nearly A Month, Indian Sailor's Family Moves Bombay HC To Bring Remains Home

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