Coronavirus: 3 bodies of UAE expats returned from Delhi airport

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Abu Dhabi - As per the new order, additional approvals are needed from the Indian Ministry for repatriation of bodies.

by

Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sat 25 Apr 2020, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sat 25 Apr 2020, 6:21 PM

The mortal remains of three Indians repatriated from Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening were returned from New Delhi early on Friday for lack of approvals. Separately, two bodies flown out early on Thursday from Dubai and held at Chennai airport were handed over to families on Friday.

Khaleej Times has learnt that by Thursday evening, immigration check posts across Indian airports were closed except for crew members of cargo and evacuation flights. The new order meant suspension of clearance for mortal remains.

On Thursday evening, bodies of Jagsir Singh, Sanjeev Kumar and Kamlesh Bhatt, who died of non-Covid reasons, were flown out from Abu Dhabi International Airport. But with a new order being implemented in India, the bodies were denied clearance and returned from Indira Gandhi International Airport. As per the new order, additional approvals are needed from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs for repatriation of bodies. Till Thursday, there were no restrictions and bodies of deceased indians were flown back from the UAE to India.
Embassy to sort out the issue
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said officials are working closely with Indian authorities to sort out the issue.

"Two bodies were bound for Punjab and one for Uttarakhand. All three bodies were returned to Abu Dhabi. We are actively working with the Ministry of Home Affairs in India and other authorities. A new procedure is being worked out," an official from the embassy said.
Friends shocked
Colleagues and friends of the deceased are hopeful that bodies will be flown back to families in India. "We had all necessary clearances. But New Delhi airport said additional approvals are needed. It's clear from the death certificate that cause of death was accident," said a colleague of Jagsir Singh. Other two expats reportedly died due to natural causes.

"For sake of humanity, bodies should not have been returned. If there is any documentation issue it could have been cleared but sending back is insulting," Harjinder Singh and Jaswant Singh of Abu Dhabi gurudwara said.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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