Gujarat HC Closes PIL After Failed Efforts To Trace 9 Indians Missing In Caribbean Since 2023

Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court on Friday, closed proceedings in a public interest litigation seeking to trace 9 Indians who went missing during a Caribbean voyage in February 2023, acknowledging that all possible efforts by Indian authorities had failed to locate them.

Adequate Efforts Made, But No Trace Found

A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Ray accepted senior advocate Yatin Oza’s submission that “nothing more could be done” after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian embassies conducted extensive searches across Dominica, Saint Martin, and other Caribbean islands.

The court noted in its order, “Indian embassies and the MEA have cooperated, but unfortunately, no progress could be made… The petition is rendered infructuous, leaving it open for the petitioner to approach competent authorities later.”

Details Of The Disappearance

The missing group, including Patel Ankitkumar Kantibhai, Patel Kirankumar Tulsibhai, and seven others, had valid Dominica/Antigua visas and were en route to Saint Martin via boat from Dominica on February 3, 2023, when contact was lost.

The MEA had earlier informed the court that French authorities were alerted, with suspicions they might be detained on an island or lost at sea.

Humanitarian Angle

Oza expressed gratitude for the court’s interventions since 2023, while advocate Kshitij Amin (for MEA) detailed the diplomatic efforts, including coordination with French overseas territories. Families believe the group intended to seek asylum in the US.

The closure underscores the limitations of judicial intervention in international missing persons cases despite systemic efforts. The bench permitted families to pursue alternative remedies if new leads emerge.