Emotional Cremation in Kochi for Deported Worker Found Dead After Legal Ordeal
The city of Kalamassery in Kochi witnessed profoundly emotional scenes on Sunday as the final rites were performed for Suraj Lama, a Bengaluru native whose disappearance after deportation from Kuwait culminated in tragedy. The cremation took place at a public crematorium, marking the end of a distressing chapter for his grieving family.
A Body Recovered and Identified
Suraj Lama's body was discovered in a marshy area within Kalamassery. Following a forensic examination conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, which confirmed the identity, the remains were released to his family. Initially, the family intended to transport the body back to their hometown in Bengaluru. However, due to severe decomposition, they made the difficult decision to conduct the cremation locally in Kochi.
Final Rites and Legal Support
The final rites commenced around 8:30 AM, attended by close relatives. In a poignant moment, his son Santon Lama performed the rituals according to religious customs. The Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) played a crucial role by arranging a priest for the ceremony and has committed to providing ongoing legal assistance to the bereaved family throughout this ordeal.
Background: Deportation and Disappearance
Suraj Lama had been working in Kuwait for several years. His troubles began when he was hospitalized in Kuwait after suffering from acute toxic leukoencephalopathy, a condition caused by alcohol poisoning allegedly from consuming toxic liquor. This led to symptoms including memory loss and disorientation.
Despite his medical condition, Kuwaiti authorities proceeded with his deportation. He arrived at Kochi airport on October 5, 2025, without any proper notification to his family in Bengaluru, leaving them unaware of his return.
The Search and Police Lapses
After his arrival, Lama was reportedly sighted at multiple locations around Kochi, including Aluva Metro Station, Thrikkakara, and Kalamassery. Alarmingly, the Thrikkakara police took him into custody on October 10 and later admitted him to the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery. It was from this hospital that he subsequently went missing.
His wife, Rini Lama, had lodged a missing person complaint with the Nedumbassery police on October 8, but this initial report yielded no results. This failure prompted their son to escalate the matter by approaching the Kerala High Court.
Judicial Intervention and Tragic Outcome
The High Court issued several directives, including the formation of a special investigation team to locate Suraj Lama. Despite these judicial orders, the police were unable to trace him. During this period of search, a decomposed, unidentified male body was found in a marshy area near the government medical college. This body was later confirmed through forensic means to be that of Suraj Lama.
The court noted critical lapses: although the missing person complaint was filed on October 8, the Thrikkakara police had taken Lama into protective custody on October 10 and admitted him to the hospital, from where he ultimately disappeared.
Family's Anguish and Allegations
In an emotional address to reporters, Rini Lama expressed her profound grief and frustration. She asserted that her husband's case should be treated as a murder, highlighting the perceived negligence. "Please help us. I'm begging you. This hospital didn't look after my husband. They didn't give any respect to my husband," she pleaded. "He was in this hospital for 5-6 hours; they didn't take care of him." Her words underscore the family's belief that proper care could have prevented this tragedy.
The case raises serious questions about the handling of deportees with medical conditions, the responsiveness of local law enforcement to missing person reports, and the duty of care in medical facilities. As the family mourns, they continue to seek justice and answers in the wake of this heartbreaking incident.
