CHENNAI: An Indian migrant worker, who was declared brain-dead two years ago, is finally returning to India on Tuesday after a rough medico-legal battle fought by family and activists.Chithiravel Vinaitheertha Udaiyar from Namakkal district, who worked as a wiring engineer in Abu Dhabi, allegedly met with a road accident in June 2015 while on duty.
During the initial period of investigation by a local court, the sponsor, a power contracting company, had claimed it had approved the leave request from Chithiravel, even as he was in a vegetative state. “The medical committee of the Health Authority of Emirate of Abu Dhabi said a wholly and final percentage of disability was estimated to be 100 per cent,’’ said Josephine Amala Valarmathi from National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM).
“Chithiravel met with an accident while being driven by a relative of the sponsor. The driver was not examined for alcohol consumption. Neither of these was brought in front of the court,” said Valarmathi, adding that it has taken two years before insurance was finally granted to the victim. “The insurance may cover his medical treatment. But we don’t know how we will run the family,” said Parameswari, wife of Chitiravel. “The Indian government insisted on the company filing a case, following which case was filed against the insurance firm. The court issued an order to pay a big sum as relief,” Valarmathi said.