Himachal's Rakshit Chauhan in US Custody: Family Pleads PM Modi for Return Before Wedding

• Merchant Navy officer Rakshit Chauhan from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, is in US military custody since January 7.
• He was on the Russian-flagged tanker 'Marinera' (Bella 1), seized by the US military during a pursuit.
• Rakshit's wedding is scheduled for February 19; his family is distraught and appeals to PM Modi and S. Jaishankar for his safe return.
• This was Rakshit's first assignment, transporting crude oil from Venezuela to Russia when the tanker was intercepted.
• Two other Indians (from Goa and Kerala) are also stranded, along with Ukrainian, Georgian, and Russian crew members.

Why It Matters: Family of a Himachal Merchant Navy officer in US custody pleads with PM Modi for his return before his wedding.