The Kerala High Court has sought a report from the police and immigration authorities in connection with the disappearance of Bengali resident Suraj Lama, who was reported missing in Kochi since October 10, 2026 after being deported from Kuwait.
His body was subsequently found in a highly decomposed state in a forested area in Kalamassery.
The Supreme Court sought a report from the police and immigration authorities after the state government submitted a report on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam, detailing the sequence of events from the time Lama landed at the airport here to the time his body was found. The court then stated that there were noticeable gaps in the report, especially during the immigration process and the subsequent handling of the matter by the police, especially when handling the missing person complaint.
Citing the need for protocol for the treatment of such deportees, the court had previously expressed concern over the way Lama was treated by immigration staff at the airport despite his alleged cognitive and other impairments.
Soon after Lama went missing, his son Santon Lama filed a writ of habeas corpus in the Supreme Court.
Published – 04 March 2026 21:32 IST
