Sushma Swaraj assures of help to family that lost 3 members in US

New Delhi, July 18: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has promised to help a family from Kalyan, Maharashtra, with the cremation of their relatives in US, who lost their lives in an accident.

38-year-old IT professional Chandan Gavai was killed alongwith his parents in a drunk driving accident in Long Island, US. Gavai's wife Manisha is in coma, while their 11-month-old son is said to have suffered fractures on both arms.

Gavai's family in Kalyan has been running from pillar to post while trying to bring back the bodies from US to perform the last rites but are unable to do so due to the high expenses involved.

Swaraj, who got to know of the family's plight stepped in and has assured of help. On Saturday, Swaraj tweeted: "I am monitoring this case personally and I have all the details. The last rites of parents is possible but US laws do not permit cremation of Chandan as his wife is in coma and unable to give consent."

However, Swaraj on Sunday said that the Consulate General in New York had suggested that Gavai's parents could be cremated in New York but US laws do not allow the cremation of Gavai as they need his wife's consent to do so.

Swaraj added that the death certificate for all three members of the family could be arranged alongwith the insurance money. "Our Consulate will bear the expenses for cremation," Swaraj said.

OneIndia News