"Dad, I am coming back home after two days", said 24-year-old Sachin Shukla, a Nalasopara seaman. He was jubilating over landing one of the best jobs he could six months ago and was satisfied with work. His father, a motorman with Western Railway, was proud of his son. But, on September 23 he was dealt a shock when his son drowned at Rendsburg Port in Germany. Their grief did not end there. They allege the government's apathy kept them in the dark and they suspect foul play.Sachin Shukla was in regular touch with his father Anil and brother Rohan. Shukla had called up his father on September 22. The four other Indian crew of MV Divine told his brother on September 23 that Sachin drowned at 12.35 am as he answered nature's call and then attempted to get inside the vessel owned by Tolda Shipping INC Panama."He called me up from Germany on September 21 and 22 and was very happy. Due to ITF strike the vessel was grounded and he said he would be coming home after two days," said Anil Shukla, his father."He wanted to gift his mother something from Germany and was very eager to return," said Shukla."On September 23 we tried calling him up in the morning and someone answered and told us he is sleeping," said Rohan, his brother."We called several times, but they kept lying. Finally on September 23 night we were informed by his friends while the shipping company and agents remained silent," said Rohan."Neither the Indian embassy in Germany nor any official from the shipping company came forward to inform us about the incident or when the body would be handed over to us," he added."In a series of emails we have been informed that Sachin went out with two Germans and two Indian friends after taking adequate permissions from the chief officer and was partying. He fell into the sea from the Port while answering nature's call," said Rohan."We suspect foul play. If he fell from the Port why was the body found after 18 hours and why hasn't it been handed to us yet?" he questioned.An email sent to Indian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, was not answered.Family in turmoil"We just want him back," said Sachin's younger brother. With authorities delaying the procedure of handing over the body, Rohan Shukla's pleas went unheard by government authorities. "We don't want any compensation nor any money we just want him back," said Rohan. "We have not even been sent a picture of the body confirming if it is Sachin or anyone else and my mother has been in the hospital since the incident," added Rohan.

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