Indian woman on visit visa dies in UAE’s Sharjah, body repatriated after month-long delay over financial struggles
The body of a 31-year-old Indian woman who died in Sharjah was sent back home nearly a month later, according to a report by Gulf News, after delays caused by financial struggles and lack of support.The woman, identified as SKJ, was from Kerala and a mother of three children aged 10, eight and five. She had travelled to the UAE on a visit visa and died at a hospital in Sharjah on March 7.As per the Indian Consulate in Dubai, she died due to hypovolaemic shock following internal bleeding, which led to cardiorespiratory arrest.Her husband, who works as a daily wage mason in Kerala, told Gulf News that she had been admitted to hospital on February 27 after consuming a corrosive substance. He said the incident happened after a dispute with a friend, following which she drank a disinfectant liquid cleaner.He also shared that SKJ had earlier worked at a daycare centre in the UAE for a couple of years. Talking about her last visit home, he said, “She came home and stayed with us for nearly two months. Then she went back, saying some people there owed her money. She also promised to find a job and bring me and the children over.”She had travelled back to the UAE just a day before Ramadan. Even while she was in the hospital, she stayed in touch with her children. “She used to help the children with their English lessons even from the hospital,” her husband said.Since she was on a visit visa, there was no company responsible to support the family after her death. Her husband said arranging the repatriation was difficult due to financial problems. “When I checked the ticket rates, they had skyrocketed. I don’t have anyone close to help me. My brother is building a house with donations from people in our area. My father recently had a stroke and is paralysed on one side,” he said.He also spoke about the emotional toll on the family, adding, “My youngest doesn’t know yet.”The process finally moved forward after he reached out to Kerala Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, who connected him with people who could help. Following this recommendation, a Sharjah-based firm stepped in to assist.Salam Pappinissery, CEO of YAB Legal Services, told Gulf News, “After the legal procedures were completed, there was no company to take responsibility since she was on a visit visa, and the family had no money to repatriate the body, which is what caused the delay. My firm helped with the paperwork and funded the repatriation.”Her body was flown from Sharjah International Airport to Cochin International Airport late on Monday night, bringing an end to a long and difficult wait for the family.
