Kullu: Rikshit Chauhan — the 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Himachal’s Kangra district who was among three Indians detained by US forces aboard a Russian-flagged oil tanker — has finally managed to speak with his parents 18 days after the ordeal began.In a brief phone call on Jan 26, Rikshit told his parents “not to worry as he was fine”.“My son told me that they were kept in a hotel in the United Kingdom and that he was fine. He called us at 7.20pm on Republic Day from the same phone number he was using,” Rikshit’s father, Ranjit Chauhan, told TOI on Friday.He did not say anything about when he was returning home or whether he and other detained Indians were released, said Chauhan. “He didn’t speak much. I tried calling back several times on the same number, but his phone has been switched off ever since,” the father said, adding that he was still worried about Rikshit’s safety.“I don’t know when my son will return home. We also spoke to our MP, Rajeev Bharadwaj, who told us he was in touch with the ministry of external affairs (MEA),” said Chauhan.The United States Coast Guard had on Jan 7 seized a Russian-flagged oil vessel, Marinera, and detained all the crew members. Chauhan had spoken with his son hours before he was detained.Rikshit is a native of Sidhpur village in Palampur subdivision, around 20km from Kangra. He left his home for Iran on Aug 1, 2025, to join the crew on a Russian ship. After sailing for around four months, the vessel headed for Venezuela.“We had spoken with Rikshit on Jan 7. He told us not to worry if his phone is unreachable as there could be a signal problem,” said Chauhan. News of his detention came as a shock to the parents. They have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his release and safe return.According to family members, Rikshit’s elder brother’s marriage is scheduled for Feb 19.Former chief minister and leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited Rikshit’s house and met his parents on Jan 20, and assured them that he would make all possible efforts to ensure his safe return.
