Centre should help Indians get relief abroad: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to assist two women who lost their family members in separate accidents in Saudi Arabia, in ascertaining and obtaining appropriate monetary relief in that country. The order came on two petitions filed by Stily George, who lost her husband George Antony in a tyre blast incident in 2014, and Dharohara Devi, whose son Dhirendra Kumar Singh died in another accident in Saudi Arabia. The petitioners have not received any compensation for the demise of their relatives, the pleas filed through advocate Jose Abraham said.

"However, as far as their quest for assistance to obtain compensation/employment benefits of their deceased relatives is concerned, this Court is of the view that the respondent (government) should extend all possible assistance through diplomatic channels or otherwise to ascertain as to whether they are entitled to any relief and, if so, further assist them to secure the same," observed the Delhi HC.

This would imply that the Centre government has the responsibility to assist its citizens to get relief and compensation in foreign countries by using its diplomatic network. Currently, the affairs of the Indians who die abroad and their families are often neglected. It was through the assistance of the Delhi High Court that the dead body of Mr. Afsar could recently be brought back to India fourteen months after his death in Saudi Arabia. This was another instance where Pravasi Legal Cell could positively intervene.