Lok Sabha Question No. 3630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: High Cost of Repatriation of Mortal Remains
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## 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

unaffordable   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

incurred 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  |

(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

Missions/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.

- v. Complete   the   formalities   relating   to   embalming,   coffin   and quarantine of the mortal remains as soon as possible by the
2. transporter.
- vi. Procurement of air ticket for transportation of mortal remains by
4. the authorized person/ employer.
- vii. The authorized person needs to obtain the documents - FIR,
6. 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
8. 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:

- i. 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.

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