The Kerala High Court has expressed grave concern and strong criticism over the disappearance of Suraj Lama, a citizen deported from Kuwait who went missing soon after arriving in India. The Court, while considering a habeas corpus petition filed by his son, described the situation as “shocking” and underscored that the protection of citizens remains a constitutional obligation — regardless of whether they had been abroad or deported.
The case involves Suraj Lama, a longtime resident of Bengaluru who had been working in Kuwait. He was reportedly hospitalised there after suffering from toxic alcohol poisoning, which caused memory loss and disorientation. Despite these health concerns, on October 5 he was deported back to India and landed at Kochi airport. The Court pointed out that following deportation, Lama was inexplicably allowed to walk out of the airport unaccompanied and unsupervised — a lapse that raised deep questions about the protocols followed by immigration and airport authorities.
According to records, within a few days of landing, Lama was reportedly seen at multiple locations in and around Kochi. On October 8, local residents alerted police after spotting him in a disoriented state. The police admitted him to Government Medical College Hospital, Kalamassery, and shortly thereafter he vanished from hospital custody. CCTV footage reportedly captured him leaving the hospital area unattended on October 10, after which his whereabouts remained unknown.
In response to the family’s plea, the High Court directed the state police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to trace Lama. The court also impleaded the state’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the Social Justice Department to assist in the search. It mandated that all leads provided by the petitioner (the son) must be diligently followed and directed the SIT to coordinate closely with him.
The bench reprimanded the involved authorities — including airport staff, police officers and hospital administration — for gross negligence. It remarked that deported individuals, especially those in vulnerable condition, cannot be allowed to move freely without oversight or care. The Court questioned why no responsible authority was assigned to monitor Lama after his arrival and why there was no protocol to ensure his safety. Pointing to the absence of any institutional mechanism for oversight, the bench asked the government to explain the procedures followed when citizens return from abroad under deportation.
As the investigation unfolded, a decomposed body was recovered from a marshy area near the hospital where Lama was last seen. The police recovered certain belongings near the site and suspect that the remains may belong to him. The Court demanded a full report from hospital authorities and the police explaining how Lama was admitted, lost custody, and how death or disappearance occurred. DNA profiling and other scientific tests were ordered to confirm identity.
The High Court also emphasised that every citizen — whether abroad or at home — must be treated as invaluable. It criticized the state’s handling of the case as callous and warned that lack of proper protocol and accountability in such matters is unacceptable. The bench further questioned the effectiveness of civic surveillance in areas near potential judicial or medical institutions, calling for better monitoring systems.
By taking strong judicial cognisance of the lapse and pressing authorities for answers, the Court reinforced its commitment to protecting fundamental rights and the dignity of citizens. It demanded accountability at every level — from immigration desks and police stations to medical facilities — and ordered continuous reporting on the progress of the investigation.
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