The Kerala High Court has strongly criticised administrative and law‑enforcement lapses in the handling of Suraj Lama, an Indian citizen who was deported from Kuwait and arrived at Kochi airport. The case came before the Court through a habeas corpus petition filed by Lama’s son, seeking to locate him after he went missing. Lama reportedly suffered from memory loss and cognitive impairment caused by methanol poisoning prior to his deportation, raising serious concerns about his ability to care for himself. Despite his condition, immigration authorities allowed him to leave the airport unaccompanied, prompting the Court to question the absence of any responsible authority or institutional oversight during his return.
Records indicate that residents noticed Lama wandering in a disoriented state three days after his arrival, on October 8, and alerted the police. He was subsequently taken into custody and admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kalamassery. However, within twenty minutes of admission, CCTV footage showed that he left the hospital unsupervised, after which his whereabouts remained unknown. The High Court expressed grave concern over how someone in such a vulnerable state was allowed to leave both the airport and the hospital unmonitored, highlighting serious institutional failures.
The Court directed both the state and hospital authorities to provide a detailed, minute‑by‑minute account of Lama’s admission and departure, including all records, CCTV footage, and the names of officials responsible for his supervision. The bench noted the failure of multiple institutions to ensure his safety and emphasised the need for accountability. The absence of any clear protocol for handling deported individuals in vulnerable condition was flagged as a major lapse.
Subsequently, a decomposed body was discovered in a marshy area near Kalamassery, close to where Lama was last seen. Although identification through DNA and postmortem reports is pending, the Court highlighted the proximity of the site to municipal limits and the proposed Judicial City, questioning how such an area remained unsupervised. The discovery underscored deficiencies in monitoring and protective mechanisms for vulnerable individuals.
The Court has ordered a comprehensive investigation, directing the state to submit a full account of all actions taken following Lama’s deportation, including immigration, police, and hospital records, as well as any steps taken by the special investigation team. The Court also sought clarity from the government regarding existing guidelines for handling deported persons, particularly those who are mentally or physically unfit.
The bench’s remarks reflect deep concern over institutional negligence and emphasise the State’s fundamental responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens, ensure their safety, and maintain proper protocols for handling deported individuals to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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