Son Files High Court Petition Seeking Compensation for Father's Tragic Death
Santom Lama, the son of Suraj Lama who was found dead after being deported from Kuwait to Kochi, has approached the Kerala High Court with a petition seeking adequate and befitting compensation for his father's tragic demise. The petitioner alleges that the death resulted from negligence and systemic failure on the part of the state government and officials of Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial).
Court Allows Amendment of Petition
A bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Jobin Sebastian, on Monday, permitted the petitioner to amend his earlier habeas corpus petition—which sought to trace his missing father—into a petition seeking compensation for his death. The High Court is scheduled to consider this compensation plea on March 25, marking a critical juncture in this distressing case.
Background of the Deportation and Disappearance
Suraj Lama, a native of Bengaluru who had been working in Kuwait for several years, was hospitalized in 2025 after suffering from acute toxic leukoencephalopathy caused by alcohol poisoning. He reportedly experienced memory loss and disorientation, leading to his deportation to India on October 5, 2025, without his family in Bengaluru being informed of the situation.
After arriving in Kochi, Lama was seen at multiple locations before being reported missing. The Thrikkakara police took him into custody on October 10 without establishing his identity and admitted him to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery. Following this admission, his whereabouts became unknown, culminating in the discovery of a decomposed body near the hospital on November 30. Forensic tests later confirmed that the body was indeed Suraj Lama's.
Allegations of Negligence and Systemic Failure
In his petition, Santom Lama claims there is no proper explanation from immigration authorities regarding how a person suffering from mental disorientation was allowed to leave the airport unsupervised. The petition further alleges that both Cial and police officers handled the situation callously, failing to adhere to existing guidelines or mandatory directives.
It was also pointed out that the Thrikkakara police took Lama into custody while a missing-person complaint regarding him was under investigation. They admitted him to the hospital without verifying his identity or informing his family, and he was later discharged from the hospital without the police being notified.
Chain of Events Reveals Critical Lapses
According to the petitioner, these incidents reveal a chain of negligence and systemic failure on the part of the authorities, who had a duty to ensure the safety and protection of the deceased. The case highlights significant lapses in the handling of vulnerable individuals during deportation and subsequent procedures, raising serious questions about accountability and protocol adherence.
The High Court's upcoming hearing on March 25 will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how such cases of alleged negligence are addressed in the future, emphasizing the need for robust systems to protect individuals in similar circumstances.
