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ETV Bharat Impact: Kamlesh Bhatt cremated in Rishikesh in presence of family

After efforts of ETV Bharat and intervention of Delhi High Court, Kamlesh Bhatt was cremated with full honours at Purnananda Ghat in Rishikesh in the presence of eight family members.

ETV Bharat Impact: Kamlesh Bhatt cremated in Rishikesh in presence of family members
ETV Bharat Impact: Kamlesh Bhatt cremated in Rishikesh in presence of family members

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Published : Apr 27, 2020, 12:42 PM IST

Updated : Apr 27, 2020, 1:38 PM IST

Rishikesh(Uttarakhand): Twenty four-year-old Kamlesh Bhatt was cremated with full honours at Purnananda Ghat in Rishikesh. His mortal remains arrived at Delhi Airport from Abu Dhabi in the wee hours of Monday. In view of the strict lockdown guidelines, the administration allowed only eight family persons to attend the funeral. Kamlesh's father, his brother Vimlesh Bhatt, along with six others were present during the cremation ceremony.

After the efforts of ETV Bharat and intervention of Delhi high court, the Ministry of Home Affairs granted permission to bring back the body of Tehri district native Kamlesh Bhatt.

READ:ETV Bharat Impact: Repatriation of mortal remains of Uttarakhand boy gains momentum

Family of Kamlesh Bhatt received the last remains of the worker in Abu Dhabi, UAE, who had passed away due to cardiac arrest on April 17. Kamlesh's corpse had arrived from Etihad Airport to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on April 23. But his dead body was not allowed to be handed over to his relatives citing government notifications and rules that prohibited cargo from abroad in the backdrop of the COVID 19 pandemic that is raging across the world

READ:ETV Bharat IMPACT: Day after being sent back to UAE, mortal remains of Kamlesh Bhatt reach family

According to the deceased relatives, when they were about to reach the airport to receive the body, they were informed by the concerned staff that the mortal remains will not be unloaded here in India due to a new circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Kamlesh Bhatt cremated in Rishikesh in presence of family

This was despite complete documentation and adherence to all legal formalities required for repatriation of human remains to India as laid down by the external affairs ministry.

ETV Bharat reached out to both the ministry of home affairs and also to the ministry of external affairs to find out the reasons for not handing over mortal remains of the deceased person to his relatives. The issue was acknowledged after ETV Bharat's interference and mortal remains of Kamlesh Bhatt was handed over to his family.

Vimlesh, the deceased’s cousin brother, told ETV Bharat: “This was a clear case of lack of coordination among ministries. I got my brother's body only because of ETV Bharat and other media platforms which brought this matter in the front of government. I hope that ETV Bharat will keep doing its ground level journalism so that the common people's voice reaches to the government… I also thank the Delhi High Court which intervened in the matter.”

READ: ETV Bharat Impact: Mortal remains of Indians who died abroad can be received, clarifies MHA

Last Updated : Apr 27, 2020, 1:38 PM IST

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