The Indian Government is trying to bring back the body of Indian worker Mohammad Afsar, who was allegedly beaten to death by his Saudi employer in Riyadh about a year ago. Afsar’s wife has petitioned Delhi High Court seeking help to bring back his mortal remains. The Ministry of External Affairs has sought the consent of Afsar’s family and urged them to complete paper work so that his mortal remains can be brought back. The Indian Government has also asked Saudi Arabia to share the details of post-mortem report and investigations pertaining to Afsar’s death.
Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian embassy in Riyadh has been engaged with Saudi Government on this matter pertaining to the death of Afsar continuously since March 26, 2015, after being informed by his brother who is also working in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy had also assisted Afsar’s brother in filing the complaint with the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) into the cause of death. Following this, the embassy officials had visited BoI several times between April and December 2015 and with great difficulty and against usual practice India managed to persuade BoI for a second post-mortem and another investigation.
According to sources, in March 2016, India requested the Saudi Foreign Office to share the outcome of this second post-mortem, the details of which are still awaited.
“However, the most pertinent aspect of the matter is that for the mortal remains to be brought back to India or to be buried in Saudi Arabia, the consent of the family is a must. We have been urging the family to complete the remaining paperwork and convey their consent for the return of the mortal remains of Shri Mohammad Afsar. Our Mission continues to provide all necessary assistance for this,” sourcessaid.