Bhubaneswar, February 6: A mysterious case involving the disappearance of a Merchant Navy cadet from Odisha has raised alarms among family members and political circles alike. Naveen Patnaik, the leader of the opposition and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has termed the situation serious and has called for immediate intervention from the central government.
He urged the Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of External Affairs to provide prompt assistance and expedite search operations.
In a post on the social media platform X, Patnaik expressed deep concern over the disappearance of Odisha cadet Sarthak Mahapatra. He extended his sympathies to the family during this difficult time and requested that relevant agencies coordinate to assist the family and intensify efforts to locate Sarthak safely.
Reports indicate that 23-year-old Sarthak Mahapatra hails from Bhadrak district in Odisha and was serving as a deck cadet in the merchant navy. He was assigned to the vessel named ‘EA Jersey,’ operated by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Company.
It is reported that Sarthak went missing while the ship was at sea, en route from Mauritius to Singapore.
According to the family, Sarthak joined the ship as a deck cadet on July 14, 2025. On February 3, 2026, the company informed the family that Sarthak was no longer on board and that a search was underway.
The family shared that Sarthak spoke with his mother over the phone around 9 PM on February 2. He was also in contact with some relatives and friends that night, and everything seemed normal at that time.
According to the company’s information, the duty hours on the ship typically run from 4 AM to 8 AM. It was reported that Sarthak left his duty around 6 AM on February 3 and went to his cabin. He was last seen entering his cabin at approximately 6:15 AM. When he could not be found afterward, a search was conducted on the ship, but no clues were discovered. Subsequently, a search operation was initiated at sea.
The search operation is reportedly being conducted in collaboration with relevant maritime agencies, including Mauritius’ Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. The family claims they have not received clear information regarding the circumstances of Sarthak’s disappearance. No CCTV footage has been shared, nor have any solid evidence or detailed reports been provided to the family.
Sarthak’s mother, Rasmit Sahu, who works at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, has been deeply distressed since the incident. She has appealed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Ministry of External Affairs for assistance in safely bringing her son home. She expressed on social media that she feels like a helpless mother and urgently seeks government support in the search for her son. The family remains hopeful that Sarthak will be found safe and sound soon.