Vijay, hailing from Giridih, was employed on a high-voltage transmission project in Saudi Arabia. On October 15, 2025, chaos erupted as police clashed with a gang, ensnaring Vijay in the deadly exchange. Severely injured, he succumbed soon after, leaving his wife and two toddler sons dependent on uncertain aid.

Arriving Saturday through Mumbai, the coffin was stored at RIMS hospital’s morgue. Ram Prasad Mahto, the deceased’s brother-in-law, voiced the family’s predicament: ‘Our hearts ache for Vijay, but we can’t ignore his wife, young boys, and aging parents. Without firm promises from the company, we won’t take the body.’

Authorities report the case lingers in Saudi legal proceedings, potentially dictating the compensation amount. Jharkhand has proffered 5 lakh rupees upfront, but the family insists the employer shoulder primary responsibility. Migrant Control Cell chief Shikha Lakda detailed the government’s facilitative role post-embassy intervention, limited by foreign laws.

This saga underscores systemic issues plaguing Indian workers in Gulf nations: delayed repatriations, opaque insurance policies, and courtroom delays across borders. Advocacy groups call for robust bilateral agreements to prevent such ordeals, ensuring families aren’t left in limbo. Until assurances arrive, Vijay’s body remains unclaimed, a poignant symbol of unresolved grief and justice sought.