Death of Suraj Lama after deportation: DIG’s report in Kerala high court flags series of lapses

KOCHI: Ernakulam range DIG has filed a report before high court regarding the tragic death of Suraj Lama, who was deported from Kuwait to Kochi, urging the formulation of a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for the safe accommodation and transit of deportees.The report flags certain lapses on the part of police, the airport terminal manager of Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) and the duty doctor and nursing staff of Govt Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kalamassery, in handling the case of Lama. The report was submitted in compliance with HC's directive to probe the alleged lapses on the part of authorities in connection with his death. It underscores the need for a comprehensive SOP assigning responsibility to the district administration, police, airport authority, ministry of home affairs and ministry of external affairs to ensure the safe accommodation and transit of deportees and to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Suraj Lama had been working in Kuwait for several years and was hospitalised there after suffering acute toxic leukoencephalopathy caused by alcohol poisoning. He was later deported to Kochi on Oct 5, 2025, without his family in Bengaluru being informed.After arriving in Kochi, he was reportedly seen at multiple locations before being reported missing. On Oct 10, the Thrikkakara police took him into custody without identifying him and admitted him to the Kalamassery MCH, after which his whereabouts became unknown. A decomposed body found near the hospital on Nov 30 was later confirmed to be that of Lama's.The DIG's report states that the airport terminal manager informed the police officer on duty at the airport aid post about Lama, describing him as an unsound passenger. However, this information was not promptly communicated to the nearby Nedumbassery police station. Instead, he was allowed to board a metro feeder bus. Considering this lapse, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the duty officer at the aid post, sub-inspector Sabu Varghese.The report also states that the airport terminal manager and other authorities did not formally inform the police station about Lama, nor were adequate arrangements made to ensure his safe transit. It was further reported that though Lama was admitted to the MCH at 5.30pm on Oct 10, the duty doctor and nursing staff admitted him for treatment only at 9.30pm. He was subsequently discharged without informing the police aid post at the hospital.During hearing, the bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M B Snehalatha orally observed that the real lapse may have occurred at the immigration stage and thereafter when police took him into custody. The deputy solicitor general informed HC that she would obtain specific instructions from the immigration department and file a report by the next posting date. HC directed police to file a final report addressing the omissions noted by the court and adjourned the petition filed by Lama's son Santon, seeking to trace his missing father, to Friday.