Kashmiri student’s mortal remains likely to reach India from Bangladesh on Sunday as repatriation formalities near completion: JKSA

• Says; Autopsy report and Embassy NOC received; embalming completed, with packing and handover among the remaining formalities

SRINAGAR: The mortal remains of Kashmiri student Adnan Altaf Rathar, who passed away in Cumilla, Bangladesh, on November 4, are likely to reach India on Sunday, as the repatriation process has entered its final stages following delays that have caused immense distress and anguish to his family.

National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami, said that while repatriation of mortal remains from abroad generally takes at least 3–4 working days, the delay has nevertheless caused immense pain and anguish to Adnan’s grieving family, particularly his mother, who is also in Bangladesh and going through an extremely difficult time.

He said the repatriation process involved several mandatory formalities, including the post-mortem examination, issuance of the Embassy NOC, embalming, packing and other necessary clearances. JKSA has remained in constant coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh and other concerned authorities to expedite the process. The matter was also escalated today to the Bangladesh Government and the Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi through multiple interventions.

Explaining the reasons behind the delay, Khuehami said the embalming process was held up due to difficulties in arranging a government-authorised doctor, further compounded by Friday being an official holiday in Bangladesh. Given the condition of the mortal remains, embalming was mandatory before international transportation, as airlines require the prescribed procedure and documentation before accepting mortal remains for transportation.

He informed that the post-mortem report has been received, the requisite Embassy NOC issued and embalming completed. The necessary Indian-side clearances have also been completed, while packing and handover to the family remain among the final formalities being coordinated with the Bangladesh authorities.

“We are hopeful that the remaining formalities, including packing and handover to the family, will be completed by Sunday morning. Subject to their completion and flight arrangements, we expect Adnan’s mortal remains to reach India on Sunday,” he added.

Khuehami further said JKSA deeply understands the family's pain and anguish during this exceptionally difficult time. “The Association remains in constant touch with the family and concerned authorities and is making every possible effort to ensure that Adnan is brought home with dignity at the earliest.”

He further said that, to facilitate the transportation of Adnan’s mortal remains from Srinagar Airport to his native place in Sopore, he had spoken to the Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Sogami, who assured him that an ambulance would be arranged. This would ensure that the family faces no difficulty in transporting Adnan’s mortal remains home upon their arrival in Srinagar.