RAVEENDRAN A. Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner's son, Arjun Raveendran, while working as a Seaman on board the Merchant Vessel 'MV Efficiency OL', went missing on 27/4/2022, while the ship was anchored at Sfax Port in Tunisia. Some days later, the Tunisian Authorities found a dead body off the coast of Skhira, about 90 km away from the Sfax Port. On conducting DNA test, the body was idenfied as that of Arjun Raveendran. At the intervention of the Government of India through its Diplomatic channel, the Tunisian authorities agreed to repatriate the body to India.

(2.) Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that, as per information received, the body will reach Trivandrum Airport on 19/6/2022. It is submitted that, the conversation which the petitioner had with Arjun Raveendran before the unfortunate incident, raises strong suspicion that the petitioner's son was tortured by his superior officer and the death itself could be a homicide. It is hence requested that, after the body reaches Trivandrum Airport, post mortem and DNA test should be conducted.

(3.) Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Solicitor General, I find the request for post mortem and DNA test to be well founded. In the nature of the nature of the order being passed, the Director General of Police, State Police Headquarters, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram, PIN - 695 010 is suo motu impleaded as the additional 7th respondent.