Mystery Shrouds Death of Young Merchant Navy Officer from Mohali; Family Alleges Foul Play
Mohali, April 8 — A cloud of mystery and grief has descended upon the family of 21-year-old Balraj Singh, a trainee officer in the merchant navy, whose sudden and unexplained death aboard a ship off the coast of the United Kingdom has sparked serious questions. While authorities and the shipping company claim it was a suicide, Balraj’s family firmly disputes the account and suspects foul play.
Balraj, a resident of Balongi village near Mohali, was undergoing training on a merchant vessel registered under the Marshall Islands and operated by Fluid Management Limited. Having embarked on his journey from Singapore on December 10, 2023, Balraj was said to be in high spirits and in good health, according to his family, who spoke to him regularly.
On March 16, Balraj’s father, Vikramjit Singh, received a shocking phone call from company representatives informing him that his son had gone missing from the ship. The family’s world turned upside down within hours as they struggled to piece together the events leading up to Balraj’s disappearance and later, the confirmation of his death.
Speaking to reporters, Vikramjit shared, “We were told he was missing, and then, suddenly, they told us he had died by suicide. But none of it makes sense. My son was mentally sound, fit, and was always positive about his career and life. He never once indicated he was struggling.”
Despite the assertion from the shipping company, Vikramjit immediately flew to the UK in search of answers. However, the information provided to him by the authorities there only deepened his doubts. “I was shown a brief report and told that Balraj took his own life, but they had no convincing evidence. We were not allowed to see the full details. The whole process felt rushed and opaque,” he added.
Adding weight to the family’s claims, Balraj had recently undergone a psychometric test, a standard component of the maritime industry’s routine health and mental wellness checks. According to his records, he had passed the test with no concerns flagged.
After weeks of coordination and paperwork, Balraj’s body was finally repatriated to India and brought to his hometown of Mohali on Sunday. A postmortem examination was conducted at Phase-6 Civil Hospital on Monday before the body was handed over to the family for the final rites.
The tragic loss of their only son has left the Singh family devastated and demanding justice. “There must be a proper inquiry into what really happened on that ship. We will not accept a simple explanation of suicide without a thorough investigation,” Vikramjit said, urging both Indian and international authorities to intervene.
Local officials confirmed that they are in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and are working to seek more information from UK authorities and the shipping company involved. A senior official from the Mohali police said, “We have received representations from the family and have begun preliminary documentation. We will extend all necessary support to ensure their concerns are addressed.”
Balraj Singh, described by friends as ambitious, kind-hearted, and dedicated to his maritime dreams, had recently completed his maritime education and was excited to begin his professional life at sea. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the community in Balongi and among maritime cadets across Punjab.
As questions remain unanswered, the Singh family continues to call for transparency and accountability. “We want the truth,” Vikramjit said, standing beside a framed photograph of his son in uniform. “We owe that to Balraj.”
