Indian Man Incorrectly Buried As Per Muslim Rites In Saudi: Delhi High Court Directs Senior MEA Official To Appear Before Court
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In what the bench of Justice Prathiba Singh of the Delhi High Court termed as an "unfortunate incident", the Court today directed the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appear online before it in a case where an Indian man upon his death was incorrectly buried as per Muslim rites in Saudi Arabia.The wife of the deceased man has moved the Delhi High Court seeking...
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In what the bench of Justice Prathiba Singh of the Delhi High Court termed as an "unfortunate incident", the Court today directed the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appear online before it in a case where an Indian man upon his death was incorrectly buried as per Muslim rites in Saudi Arabia.
The wife of the deceased man has moved the Delhi High Court seeking for directions to the MEA to exhume and transport the man's mortal remains to India for conducting of rites in accordance with deceased person's religion.
The man, who was identified as one Sanjeev Kumar, was an Indian migrant and Indian passport holder and passed away on January 24 in Saudi Arabia due to a cardiac arrest. The demise of the deceased was certified by the hospital concerned, however the official translator of the Indian Consulate incorrectly translated the said death certificate reflecting the man as a Muslim.
Rapping the Ministry of External Affair's counsel, Standing Counsel Ripudaman Bhardwaj, who sought 10 days' time to reply in the matter with a status report and details of steps taken towards the wife's prayer, the Court asked, "Have you seen the nature of the matter?"
The original death certificate was issued in Arabic by the Saudi hospital.
The court enquired of the MEA counsel, "As of today you don't know if body can be brought back?" The counsel replied stating, "We have to pursue and do a long exercise."
The court therefore decided that a senior official of MEA would be required to join the court with a status report and all steps taken towards the petitioner's prayer. Justice Singh further refused to give the MEA 10 days' time in this regard, and has posted the matter for further hearing day after tomorrow