The High Court of Rajasthan issued a notice to the Russian embassy in Delhi seeking the reply of the concerned authorities on the issue of the mortal remains of an Indian citizen stuck in Russia. The mortal remains of the man is in Russia since July.
The court said that the situation is grave and the embassies need to coordinate in order to solve the situation. The High court also issued notices to Centre as well as the Indian embassy in Russia.
“This court is not oblivious to its limitations in issuing a writ to the Embassy of Russia in India or the Government of Russian Federation. However, with a view to deal with a rather unprecedented situation and to coordinate the steps to be taken, this Court feels it expedient to issue notice to the Russian Embassy. The Court feels that the Government of Russian Federation must be requested to expedite the process in this regard.”
The court was hearing the plea of the wife and children of Hitendra Kumar Garasiya, who passed away in some accident in Russia and his mortal remains are lying unattended for the last four months in Russia.
The Court observed that Hitendra died in July 2021, but his mortal remains are not being handed over by the authorities of Russian Federation over the pending FSL Report. Therefore, the Government of Russian Federation must be requested to expedite the process in this regard.
Mr. Purohit, counsel for the petitioners showed the communication dated 04.12.2021 written by the Embassy of Russia, which stated that whatever is to be done, has to be done by the Indian Embassy in Russia.
The Additional Solicitor General, Mr. R.D. Rastogi, said that all the endeavours are being made to ensure that the mortal remains of the late Hitendra Kumar Garasiya are brought to India. Justice Dinesh Mehta came up with the decision to issue a notice to the Russian Federation’s embassy in India to expedite the process.
Hitendra Kumar Garasiya of Godwa village in Kherwara tehsil in Udaipur had gone to Russia in April 2021 on one year visa for work but he was found dead in a park in Moscow. The case was closed by the Moscow Police. The death was considered as an accidental death and the information was received by the family through local police on August 28,2021. The family has been running from pillar to post to get the mortal remains of Hitendra to perform his last rites.