Breaking: Rajasthan Sailor Trapped in Strait of Hormuz; Family Loses Contact
Synopsis
A 38-year-old Merchant Navy officer from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, is among 21 crew members stranded after Iran's IRGC intercepted the container ship Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz. All communication has been severed. Local MLA Jaideep Bihani has urgently written to PM Modi and CM Bhajanlal Sharma demanding immediate diplomatic intervention.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Mahar, 38 , a Second Officer from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan , is stranded aboard the container ship Epaminondas intercepted by Iran's IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz .
The vessel, sailing under a Liberian flag , was en route to Mundra Port, Gujarat and was expected to dock on April 24, 2025 .
All communication with the 21-member multinational crew — including Indians, Filipinos, Ukrainians, and Sri Lankans — has been severed after internet was cut off.
Reports of gunfire during the standoff with Iranian forces have heightened fears for the crew's safety.
MLA Jaideep Bihani has written to PM Modi, Amit Shah, and CM Bhajanlal Sharma demanding urgent diplomatic intervention.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official public statement on the detention of the vessel or its crew.
Jaipur, April 23: A Merchant Navy officer from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, is among 21 crew members stranded aboard a container ship intercepted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a diplomatic emergency and plunging his family into distress after all communication was severed.
Who Is Sanjay Mahar and What Happened
Sanjay Mahar, 38, a Second Officer and resident of Riddhi-Siddhi Colony, Sri Ganganagar, was serving aboard the container vessel Epaminondas, sailing under a Liberian flag. The ship was en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat and was expected to dock by Thursday, April 24.
Sanjay had travelled to Dubai approximately 20 days ago and boarded the ship just four days before the incident. The vessel was halted mid-journey after being denied passage through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most strategically critical maritime chokepoints through which nearly 20% of global oil trade passes.
According to his brother Subhash Mahar, approximately 30 hours before contact was lost, Iranian forces surrounded the vessel as it attempted to proceed. Alarming reports of gunfire during the standoff have intensified fears for the crew's safety. Crew members subsequently moved to secure areas within the ship.
Crew Composition and Last Known Communication
The Epaminondas carries a multinational crew of 21 members, comprising nationals from India, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka. Before internet services were cut off, Sanjay Mahar managed to send a video showing visibly distressed crew members huddled together.
With internet and communication services now completely suspended, the family has had no updates since. The uncertainty has left relatives in Sri Ganganagar in a state of deep anxiety, with multiple family members keeping vigil and awaiting any official word.
MLA Writes to PM Modi and CM Bhajanlal Sharma
Local MLA Jaideep Bihani took swift action on Thursday, April 24, writing formal letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, urging immediate diplomatic intervention. In an accompanying video message, Bihani confirmed that an Indian national is serving as Second Officer aboard the detained vessel.
He specifically appealed to PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and CM Bhajanlal Sharma to take urgent steps to secure the safe release of Sanjay Mahar and all other crew members. He emphasized that strong intervention by the Government of India could significantly expedite their release given India's diplomatic standing in the region.
Geopolitical Context: Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of escalating Iran-US tensions, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a recurring flashpoint. The IRGC has a documented history of intercepting commercial vessels in the strait — notably seizing the MSC Aries in April 2024 and multiple other vessels in prior years as leverage in geopolitical standoffs.
For India, the situation carries particular sensitivity. With Indian nationals aboard and a key trade route to Mundra Port disrupted, New Delhi faces pressure to engage diplomatically with Tehran while navigating its broader strategic relationships. India has historically maintained cordial ties with Iran, making back-channel diplomacy a viable option.
Notably, India's Ministry of External Affairs has previously secured the release of Indian sailors from conflict zones, including during the Yemen crisis and earlier Gulf standoffs — setting a precedent that the family is now counting on.
Family's Urgent Appeal and Next Steps
The Mahar family has formally appealed to the Central Government for urgent intervention, requesting that all diplomatic channels be activated immediately. They have also reached out to local authorities in Sri Ganganagar to escalate the matter.
The Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of External Affairs are expected to be the primary government bodies coordinating any response. As of now, no official statement has been issued by the MEA regarding the status of the Epaminondas or its crew.
With diplomatic pressure mounting and the safety of 21 multinational crew members hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on New Delhi's response — and whether India's diplomatic outreach to Tehran can secure a swift and peaceful resolution before the situation deteriorates further.
Point of View
Yet no robust bilateral protocol exists to safeguard Indian seafarers in the Gulf. While an MLA writing to the PM makes for sympathetic optics, the real question is why the Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued a public statement 30-plus hours into a communication blackout involving Indian nationals. India's silence, even as it maintains warm ties with Tehran, risks becoming complicity by inaction.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sanjay Mahar and why is he stranded in the Strait of Hormuz?
Sanjay Mahar is a 38-year-old Merchant Navy Second Officer from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, who was serving aboard the container ship Epaminondas when it was intercepted by Iran's IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat when it was denied passage and surrounded by Iranian forces.
How many crew members are stranded on the Epaminondas?
There are 21 crew members aboard the Epaminondas, including nationals from India, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka. All communication with the crew has been cut off after internet services were suspended on the vessel.
What action has the Indian government taken to rescue the stranded sailors?
Local MLA Jaideep Bihani has written to PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma urging immediate diplomatic intervention. As of the latest reports, no official statement has been issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs.
Has Iran's IRGC seized ships in the Strait of Hormuz before?
Yes, the IRGC has a documented history of intercepting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including the seizure of the MSC Aries in April 2024. The strait is a critical global chokepoint, and Iran has repeatedly used vessel detentions as geopolitical leverage.
What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it strategically important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which approximately 20% of the world's oil trade passes. It is one of the most strategically vital maritime chokepoints globally, making it a recurring site of geopolitical tension involving Iran and Western powers.
