Parliament Question: High Cost of Repatriation of Mortal Remains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3630 ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 HIGH COST OF REPATRIATION OF MORTAL REMAINS 3630. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the tragic death of Indian citizen from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu in Cambodia after being rescued from an alleged cyber-fraud camp; (b) if so, whether his family was reportedly quoted repatriation expenses of 7 lakh, later reduced to 3.5 lakh, for bringing back his mortal remains, if so, the response of the Government thereto; (c) the number of similar cases during the last five years where bereaved Indian families, including from Tamil Nadu, sought Embassy assistance for repatriation of mortal remains and reported 1unaffordable costs, State-wise indicating the assistance provided under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in this regard; and (d) whether the Government proposes to review and standardise Embassy procedures to ensure time-bound, compassionate and affordable support for distressed Indians abroad, including clear caps, transparency on costs and emergency financial assistance, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a) to (b) The tragic death of the Indian citizen, Late Sh. Nandakumar Durairaj was reported to the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh on 18.12.2025. The Embassy had earlier facilitated his admission at a hospital in Phnom Penh. After the Embassy was informed that the family was unable to pay for transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased, the Embassy 2incurred a total expenditure of USD 6,800 (INR 6,21,860/-) from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) towards transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased. (c) Specific requests for financial assistance for transportation of the mortal remains are examined by the Missions/Posts. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in Indian Missions/Posts abroad caters to NRIs in times of distress and emergency, on a ‘means tested basis’ and also includes financial assistance for transportation of mortal remains. The details on the number of cases, along with assistance provided under ICWF, during the last five years are as follows: Year No. of Beneficiaries Expenditure 2021 422 ₹ 5,70,95,552 2022 507 ₹ 8,65,44,255 2023 433 ₹ 9,06,38,615 2024 488 ₹ 11,96,50,424 2025 (up to September) 312 ₹ 8,48,59,348 3(d) The issue of transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who have died abroad to their hometowns in India is accorded the highest priority by the Ministry. There is a well-established mechanism/Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to coordinate with Indian Missions/Posts abroad to facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains of Indian nationals to their hometowns in India. The consular wings of Indian Missions/Posts have designated desks dedicated for dealing with death cases of Indian nationals abroad and subsequent transportation of the mortal remains to India or local burial or cremation. The transportation of Indians who die abroad, involves completion of certain formalities before the local authorities allow such body/bodies to be transported to India. In case the death is not natural, police investigations are to be completed. As soon as the information about the death of an Indian national comes to the knowledge of the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad, they take proactive action by seeking a report from the local Foreign Office and other concerned authorities regarding the cause of the death of the Indian national. Our 4Missions/Posts abroad inform the next of kin of the deceased Indian national, and facilitate the transportation to India or local burial of mortal remains in accordance with the wishes of the family of the deceased. Transportation of mortal remains of Indians involves the following steps: i. Nomination of a person by the family to carry out, on their behalf, the formalities in the foreign country, in case they are unable to come to the foreign country to take over the mortal remain. ii. Informing the Insurance Company (if any) by the authorized person/employer. iii. Nomination of a transporter (in consultation with Insurance Company, if any) by the authorized person/employer. iv. Obtain the copy of the FIR from the Police authorities, if applicable. 5v. Complete the formalities relating to embalming, coffin and quarantine of the mortal remains as soon as possible by the transporter. vi. Procurement of air ticket for transportation of mortal remains by the authorized person/ employer. vii. The authorized person needs to obtain the documents – FIR, where applicable, Medical Certificate/Death Certificate, Original Passport, Embalming Certificate, Coffin Certificate, Quarantine Certificate, Authority Letter by the family, List of belongings, Air Way Bill (copy or detail information) and provide the original passport to the Embassy/Consulate for cancellation, upon which the Mission/Post issues the “Death Certificate and No Objection Certificate (NOC)”. viii. Nomination of person by the family who will collect the mortal remains, on their behalf, at the Indian Airport, if required. Indian Missions/Posts liaise with different authorities in the foreign country for seeking following documents for transportation of mortal remains: 6i. Medical report / death certificate issued from the hospital concerned; ii. Police report (with English translation, if report is in some other language), in case of accidental or unnatural death; iii. Consent letter from next of kin of the deceased for local cremation / burial / transportation of mortal remains; iv. Issuing of NOC by the Mission / Post for transportation or local cremation / burial as required; v. Clearance and arrangements for embalming of mortal remains from the authorities concerned in the foreign country; vi. Clearance from local immigration/ customs department. These procedures differ from country to country depending upon the local regulations. ***** 7