Ludhiana/New Delhi/Jaipur:
Three weeks ago Bala Kava, known as Lucky by her family, was found murdered at her home in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. But that was not the end of the ordeal for her relatives in Ludhiana. Her family are still waiting for the body, as the authorities in Sharjah have refused to hand it over to her husband. This was even after two suspects were caught and all the formalities were completed.
Lucky who was married to a civil engineer from India, had been living in Sharjah for two years. She was home alone when robbers ransacked the house and killed her on December 15. Her mother who was visiting her at the time was out of the house when the murder took place. The family now wants her body back. Says a broken hearted Kanchan Bala, the sister of the deceased "We just want the body of our sister so that we can see her for one last time and also perform her last rites in a proper manner.''
But there is now a ray of hope for this family. After NDTV brought the plight of this family to his attention, the Vyalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs has promised help. The minister has assured the body will be brought home in two days. Said Mr Ravi, "I thank NDTV for raising this issue today...And I can now inform the family through you that the dead body will be released on 9th (January) I have given instructions just now that send the body and we will pay the money, the cost will be borne by the ministry.''
Naturally delighted by this development, the family says they are willing to wait for a couple more days hoping that this intervention by the government will sort matters out. But the trauma of the last 20-odd days is something they may never forget.