Missing sailor wanted transfer: Wife

Petty officer goes missing onboard warship INS Godavari; Navy clueless, as search and rescue operations prove futile

Life has come to a standstill for Usha Shukla (34), ever since she learnt that her husband Prem Prakash Shuklau00a0 (38) went missing onboard the Indian Navy guided missile frigate INS Godavari.



Usha, who is currently living at Santacruz with her relatives, suspects foul play.u00a0u00a0

On March 9, the day Prem was report to duty on the ship, which sailed from Mumbai port to Cochin for routine maintenance, he told her that some colleagues considered him to be very strict. "Prem mentioned that he wanted a transfer," said Usha.u00a0

Usha last spoke to Prem on April 10. "He was looking forward to coming home," Usha said.u00a0u00a0u00a0

But on April 12, senior naval officials visited Usha, who was looking forward to her husband's return, at the Sailors' Quarters in New Navy Nagar. They informed her that Prem had gone missing between Goa and Karawar and that search operations were in progress.

The Navy has since conducted an extensive search in the deep-sea stretch of Karwar and Goa, without any results.

A Naval spokesperson said, "Prem was last seen on April 12 at about 8 am. His absence was noticed about an hour later after which a thorough search was carried out onboard. Three ships, a helicopter and a Dornier aircraft continued the search operations in the sea till April 15, but could not trace him. An inquiry has been ordered in the case."

The Naval Police are also questioning crewmembers of INS Godavari. But the family is not mollified. They are upset that the ship has been cleared to sail for Somalia tomorrow, as they fear it will hamper investigations. They have registered a missing complaint with the Yellow Gate Police.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

On April 12...
On April 12, at 1.30 am, Prem informed his colleague that he was going for a routine check. He reportedly met a cadet on the way, after which he went missing.
A naval cadet claims to have seen Prem after that at 8 am. Surprisingly, the superiors learnt about his disappearance only at 9 am when they were taking attendance.
u00a0
What happened that night on INS Godavari
According to Shukla family, Prem Prakash was on duty at the Sonar area of the ship from April 11 midnight to 4.00 am (April 12).

He reported to duty with his two subordinates, of which one complained of headache and was allowed by Prem Prakash to go back to his bunker.

At 1.30 am, Prem Prakash informed his colleague of going for a routine round up and even met a cadet enroute, since then he went missing.

However two Naval cadets on board have come up with different statements, while one claim of spotting Prem Prakash at 6.00 am in towel, the other claim that he spotted him at 8.00 am at the breakfast section.

Surprisingly the superiors learnt about Prem missing during the 9.00 am attendance.

Unanswered questions as put by family
' Where did Prem go after meeting the last cadet at 1.30 am?u00a0
u00a0
' When at 4.00 am Prem did not give the wake up alert to his colleague who was meant to take over Prem's shift, why was the matter not brought to the notice of superiors?

' The ship had over 300 staff on board, how could only two cadets could spot Prem at different timings and no one else knew where he was?u00a0
u00a0
' Why senior Naval officer on board consider 8.00 am as the last seen timing and not 1.30 am when Prem actually went on round and not seen thereafter?

'The ship was moving at 30 kmph nautical miles, why search was restricted between South Karwar and Goa, and not beyond?
u00a0
Fact sheet of INS Godavari
' Commissioned- December 10, 1983
' Class and type- Godavari class guided missile frigate
' Length-126.4 meters
' Beam-14.5 meters
' Draught- 4.5 meters
' Speed- 27 knots (50 km/h)
' Complement- 313 (including 40 Officers and 13 Aircrew)
' Aircraft carried- 2 helicopters, 2 Sea King MK 42 B or a combination of one Sea King Mk.42B and one HAL Chetak.