Dinesh Giri, a 45-year-old Indian worker from the Chak Fatma alias Bairakh village in the Bhudkuda Kotwali area of Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, passed away while on duty in Saudi Arabia on the night of August 31. Preliminary reports indicate the cause of death was a suspected heart attack. A company supervisor notified Giri’s wife, Shashikala, of the tragedy via telephone. The deceased is survived by his wife and two sons. Currently, Giri's remains are in Saudi Arabia, where authorities are conducting a post-mortem examination and completing necessary legal formalities. Once the medical and administrative processes are concluded, the repatriation of the body to India will proceed. While the company and the specific Saudi city of his employment have not been publicly disclosed, the death is being treated as a potential natural cause, pending final medical certification.
According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, repatriation procedures involve multiple steps, including obtaining a death certificate from Saudi Civil Affairs, a hospital medical report, and, if necessary, police reports. The sponsor is responsible for administrative procedures, including final exit formalities and securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Mission, which requires consent from the next of kin. Natural death cases typically take two to three weeks for repatriation, though this timeline can vary based on local authority clearances and airline cargo arrangements.
Families are advised to secure copies of the deceased's passport, Iqama, employment contract, and any death-related documentation. Besides physical repatriation, the family should seek information regarding the settlement of unpaid salary, gratuity, end-of-service benefits, and insurance. Should difficulties arise with the sponsor, families can contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh via their 24/7 helpline at +966-11-4884697, the toll-free number 800 247 1234, or email at
[email protected]. Financial assistance for those in need may be available through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) on a case-by-case basis, whereas the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) typically focuses on accidental death or permanent disability coverage.
