An overseas job mission turned into a tragic ordeal for a family in Bihar after 40-year-old Indian worker Sunesh Ram died under suspicious circumstances in the African nation of Angola. Hailing from Ward Number 14 of Bhitbherwa village, under the Gopalganj town police station limits, Sunesh had travelled abroad to secure a livelihood. While news of his sudden demise plunged his household into deep grief, his relatives now face an agonizing extortion hurdle, alleging that a recruiting agent is demanding Rs 8 lakh to repatriate the body to India.
The Journey from Ahmedabad to an Overseas Deployment
According to the deceased worker's brother, Rajesh Ram, Sunesh left his native village approximately five months ago in search of better employment prospects in Ahmedabad. In Ahmedabad, he appeared for an interview for a welder position at Top Impex Private Limited through an agent identified as Rajesh Patel. After being selected, Sunesh worked at the firm for roughly two months. Subsequently, the company deployed him on an overseas assignment to Angola in West Africa, where he was engaged in technical welding operations.
Allegations of Neglect and Untimely Demise
The worker's mother, Lakhpati Devi, stated that Sunesh's health deteriorated significantly while he was staying and working in Angola. The family alleged that he did not receive adequate medical attention or timely professional treatment in the foreign country, leading to his death on Friday. While official and independent medical documentation confirming the precise cause of death has not yet been established, his family back in Gopalganj received the devastating news shortly after, leaving them in inconsolable distress.
Demand for Rs 8 Lakh Stalls Repatriation
The primary concern for the grieving household is bringing the mortal remains home for customary funeral rites. Rajesh Ram alleged that the company's agent demanded Rs 8 lakh from the family to facilitate the transport of the body from Angola back to India. Coming from an economically vulnerable background, the family expressed total inability to arrange such an enormous sum on short notice. Facing bureaucratic paralysis and financial helplessness, they reached out to administrative and elected authorities for urgent rescue measures.
Two Children Left Without Their Breadwinner
Sunesh Ram is survived by his two young children, including his 18-year-old daughter Khushboo Kumari and his 12-year-old son Jigar Kumar. With the sudden departure of the household's sole earning member, the family confronts an uncertain future marked by financial and emotional disruption. The children, along with their extended family, remain in mourning as they wait for the opportunity to catch a final glimpse of their deceased father.
Appeals to Local MP and District Administration
Seeking immediate governmental intervention, the bereaved family submitted formal representations to Gopalganj Member of Parliament Dr. Alok Kumar Suman and the District Magistrate. In response, MP Dr. Alok Kumar Suman stated that he had dispatched an official communication to the Ministry of External Affairs, urging diplomatic coordination with the Indian embassy in Angola. The parliamentarian expressed confidence that Indian diplomatic channels would take prompt steps to expedite the repatriation process, ensuring the mortal remains reach Bhitbherwa village without unfair financial demands on the destitute family.
