Indian Family Seeks Son Missing in M’sia After Job Venture

By Lara Kramer  •  12 Jan 2024 in News

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A recent Instagram post shared by @officialhumansofbombay details the heart-wrenching ordeal faced by an Indian family desperately seeking their missing son, Mani.

Two years ago, Mani embarked on a promising seafarer job in Malaysia, recommended by a friend already working on a ship. His departure on 22 September 2022, marked the beginning of a troubling chapter for his family.

Initially, Mani maintained regular contact with his family, a reassuring routine that abruptly ended after the first 15 days. The family’s distress deepened when Mani failed to acknowledge his sister’s birthday, a significant departure from his usual behaviour.

 

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A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay)

Seeking clarity, Mani’s mother reached out to the job agent, hoping for information about her son’s sudden silence.

The agent’s response added a layer of shock and despair to the family’s situation. Initially stating, ‘”Your son has fallen off the ship,'” the agent later changed the narrative to ‘”Your son ran away”‘ when Mani’s father pressed for clarification.

Frustratingly, despite filing a report, Indian authorities conveyed their inability to intervene, explaining, “‘This is Malaysia’s case”.

In January 2023, the family received a distressing call demanding ₹30,000 (around RM1,678). When pressed for Mani’s whereabouts, the caller claimed to have killed him.

Desperate for support, Mani’s mother sought help from Sachin, an officer’s friend who had experience with similar cases. Through Sachin’s efforts, the family connected with someone acquainted with Mani, who revealed that Mani was told to inform everyone that he had drowned during his night duty.

In a continued quest for answers, Sachin and Mani’s mother traveled to Malaysia in May.

There, they met with the ship’s owner, who callously handed over Mani’s suitcase and shockingly inquired, “‘How much money will compensate for your son’s death?'”

Despite the local police closing the case, the Indian embassy assured the family of updates. Yet, with hope dwindling, the family returned to India, haunted by the uncertainty surrounding Mani’s fate.

Every day is a painful reminder for Mani’s mother, who begins each morning with a prayer for her son’s safety, clinging to the hope that he will one day return home.