On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court instructed the Director General of Shipping to transfer the remains of seafarer Dixit Solanki to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) located in Kalina for DNA testing, ensuring that the report is subsequently provided to his family.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad mandated that the retrieval of the remains occur in the presence of a family member, and that the remains be sent to the FSL with appropriate care.
The court also ordered that once the DNA test results are available, a copy must be shared with the family of Solanki.
“We instruct the DG Shipping, respondent number 4, to collect the remains in the presence of a family member of the deceased Dixit Solanki, who will sign the necessary documents to finalize the technical procedures and ensure they are sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina, Mumbai, for DNA testing. Upon receipt of the DNA test report by the court, it should be provided to both the respondents and the deceased’s blood relatives,” the bench remarked.
However, the court chose not to impose a deadline for the completion of the DNA testing, despite requests from the family’s legal representative.
Solanki, a 32-year-old oiler on the vessel MKD Vyom, lost his life in a suspected missile attack off the coast of Oman, marking him as the first Indian casualty in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. His skeletal remains were returned to Mumbai on April 5, but officials informed the court that the remains were not fully recognizable and would necessitate DNA analysis for identification.
The family sought the High Court’s urgent intervention, expressing concerns over delays and a lack of clarity from authorities regarding when they could conduct the last rites. They indicated to the court that they had been visiting various police stations to initiate the DNA testing process.
During the proceedings, it was noted that the remains are currently held by an authorized agency in Mumbai that manages repatriation formalities.
Officials stated that the Director General of Shipping had reached out to several entities, including forensic laboratories and senior police officials, to request swift assistance in carrying out the DNA test.
The central government indicated that necessary communications had been sent to the Maharashtra police and forensic authorities to expedite the process, suggesting that the testing could take place in Mumbai, while also having other laboratories on standby if needed.
The petition emphasized the right to dignity under Article 21, asserting that authorities have a responsibility to ensure timely identification and return of the remains.
With the directives from the High Court, the DNA testing process is anticipated to proceed, enabling the family to confirm the identity and carry out the last rites.
