In a heartbreaking turn of events, the body of Vijay Kumar Mahto from Jharkhand’s Giridih district arrived in India after 120 agonizing days, only for his family to refuse to claim it. Vijay died in October 2025 while working on a transmission line project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, caught tragically in crossfire between police and a gang.
The shipment reached Ranchi airport via Mumbai on Saturday and was placed in the RIMS mortuary. But Vijay’s family remains firm: no body without clear compensation assurances from his employer. Speaking on behalf of the grieving relatives, Vijay’s brother-in-law Ram Prasad Mahto emphasized their love for him but underscored the dire needs of his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
‘We adore Vijay, but his family’s future hangs in the balance,’ Ram Prasad said. ‘The company must provide written guarantees on compensation before we proceed.’ The family accuses the employer of evading straight answers on financial support.
Jharkhand government has stepped in, offering immediate aid of 5 lakh rupees. However, officials note the matter is tangled in Saudi courts, with final compensation hinging on judicial outcomes. State Migrant Control Cell head Shikha Lakda explained that their role is limited to coordination in such foreign jurisdiction cases.
This incident sheds light on the vulnerabilities faced by Indian migrant workers abroad. Thousands leave home for better prospects, yet face unforeseen dangers without adequate safeguards. Families left behind grapple not just with loss, but bureaucratic mazes and uncertain futures. As the body awaits in cold storage, the standoff continues, highlighting urgent needs for better protections and swift resolutions in overseas employment tragedies.