Daijiworld Media Network – Giridih

Giridih, Oct 31: A 27-year-old man from Jharkhand’s Giridih district was shot dead in Saudi Arabia earlier this month after getting caught in crossfire between local police and an extortion gang involved in the illegal liquor trade, officials and family members confirmed.

The deceased, Vijay Kumar Mahato, a resident of Dudhapania village under Dumri block, had been working with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in Saudi Arabia for nearly a year. He was employed on transmission line projects in the Jeddah region.

According to his brother-in-law Ram Prasad Mahato, the tragic incident occurred on October 15 when Vijay was walking near his worksite. Vijay was nearby when the firing began between police and local extortionists. The bullet hit him by mistake, he said. Vijay was immediately rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The family received confirmation of his death on October 24. Before dying, he even sent a voice note in the Kortha language to his wife, saying he had been hit by a bullet meant for someone else and was pleading for help, Ram Prasad added with emotion.

Vijay is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and his parents.

The Head of the State Migrant Control Cell under the Jharkhand Labour Department, Shikha Lakra, said the department received a complaint regarding the incident from Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato. She said the matter has been referred to the Protector of Emigrants (Ranchi) and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for investigation and repatriation of the mortal remains.

According to official communication from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to the Jharkhand government, the incident occurred in the Jeddah region, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah. The CGI has informed that the death is being treated as suspicious, and Vijay’s body remains in the custody of the Public Prosecution Office in Jumum, Makkah, until investigations are completed and a Police Clearance Certificate is issued.

Shikha Lakra further stated that the Jharkhand government is in constant touch with Saudi authorities and the employer to ensure proper investigation and repatriation.

Back home in Dudhapania, grief has turned into anger as the family insists on compensation before agreeing to bring the body back. The company must be held responsible. We will not receive the body until we get written assurance of compensation, said Ram Prasad Mahato.

The Jharkhand government has assured the family of full support and said efforts are underway to coordinate with both the Saudi authorities and the employing company to resolve the matter and bring Vijay’s body home at the earliest.