Maharashtra Government Initiates Death Certificate Process for Missing Persons
With Nepal halting search operations, Maharashtra families of the missing can now apply for death certificates.
Nepal has suspended search operations after 40 days post-floods.
Maharashtra government seeks confirmation on 64 missing individuals.
Families face emotional turmoil over insurance and legal formalities.
In a significant development, the Maharashtra government has begun the process for families of individuals missing since the catastrophic floods in Nepal on August 26 to obtain death certificates. This decision comes after Nepal announced the suspension of all non-essential search and rescue operations on Monday, marking 40 days since the disaster struck.
The state government has reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies in Nepal and China to confirm the status of those missing. While the Nepal government lists 12 individuals from Maharashtra as unaccounted for, the Maharashtra disaster management cell estimates the number to be as high as 64, including non-resident Indians (NRIs). The majority of these missing persons were part of a pilgrimage group led by renowned mountaineer Dr. Milind Chitale, who were last known to be at the Timure immigration gate near the China border, an area severely impacted by the floods.
In response to the tragedy, the disaster management cell has requested DNA samples to help identify the missing individuals. They have submitted samples for 47 persons but have received no further communication regarding the results. A senior official expressed the urgency of obtaining written confirmation to facilitate the issuance of death certificates, which are necessary for families to conduct final rites and manage legal affairs.
The emotional toll on families has been profound, particularly for those of Gayatri and Anand Deshpande, Sunil Subhedar, and Rekha and Satish Patankar, who are grappling with uncertainty. Friends of the families report that they are in a state of limbo, torn between proceeding with rituals and waiting for news. Avinash Mohogaonkar, a close friend, highlighted the need for the government to provide clearer guidance to help families navigate this difficult period.
As the situation unfolds, families are also concerned about the implications for insurance claims, property rights, and other formalities. Nepal has indicated it will initiate legal processes to declare missing persons dead for administrative purposes, but the conclusion of search operations does not equate to a legal death certificate under Indian law. The absence of a DNA match leaves families in an emotional limbo, caught between hope for survival and the harsh reality of uncertainty.
