Jharkhand’s Navy sailor burnt alive in Palghar

Jamshedpur: In a shocking development, an Indian Navy sailor Suraj Kumar Dubey, 27, a resident of Chainpur block of Palamu, Jharkhand, has been burnt alive in Palghar district of Maharashtra for reportedly not paying Rs. 10 lakh ransom.

The deceased sailor was reportedly abducted from Chennai airport by unknown people and was kept in Chennai for a few days and then taken to Western Ghats forest at Vevaji village in Talasari taluka of Palghar district.

The deceased was a native of Kolhuua Khurd village in Purviha panchayat of Chainpur block of Palamu district.

Gholwad police were informed by the locals about the incident. The police rushed him to Agar Hospitals from where he was taken to a Mumbai Hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

The deceased Suraj Kumar Dubey was a Navy sailor and was posted at INS Agrani in Coimbatore. He reportedly reached Chennai Airport on January 31 and was reportedly abducted there by three unknown persons. He was reportedly kept in Chennai for three days and was asked to pay Rs. 10 lakh as ransom. On refusal, he was taken to Vevaji village forest and was burnt alive by pouring petrol on his body.

The Navy statement said: “A Naval sailor, Suraj Kumar Dubey, L/S, age 26 yrs of INS Agrani, on leave from the unit was found in Palghar, Maharashtra with 90 percent burns on the morning of 5th February. He was brought to INHS Asvini and declared dead on arrival.”

Palghar had earned infamy last year after the lynching of Sadhus on April 16, 2020. Three Sadhus were lynched by a mob on the suspicions that they were robbers.

The news of the sailor’s death has brought consternation to social media users as strong emotions are being expressed.

Many felt that there was more than it meets the eye in the incident. There are many who feel that it is highly unlikely that strangers would be able to abduct a navy sailor from Chennai airport, be able to keep him under captivity for 3 days and for mere 10 lakh ransom would burn him to death.

Many felt that the fact that he was a navy soldier and also that he was killed in Palghar district needs close scrutiny from the security forces.