Indian expatriate in coma repatriated

An Indian expatriate in Saudi Arabia, who has been in coma for the last two years after a fatal accident, has been repatriated, the media reported on Monday.

Zahid Hussain, 31, had slipped into a coma after being hit by a speeding car on July 24, 2012, while he was walking on a pedestrian path near Khamis Mushait in southwest Saudi Arabia, Arab News reported on Monday.

Hussain had since been in a coma at the Khamis Mushait General Hospital.

Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah arranged for the victim’s repatriation with the help of the Indian consulate in Jeddah, and he was flown to India on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the two teenagers who were driving the car were arrested by the police.

The victim’s wife and a son travelled to New Delhi to receive him. The family has been reportedly struggling to repay loans and earn money.

Hussain, hailing from Bihar, was employed as a heavy vehicle driver in a remote village near Khamis Mushait.

Ashraf Kuttichal, an Indian social worker in Abha city in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province who accompanied Hussain to India, said the repatriation was a tardy procedure as the victim’s sponsor had not applied for a residency permit for him despite being employed by him.

“This hampered the repatriation process, since you need an iqama to apply for a final—exit visa,” he said.

He said the issue was finally resolved by the Indian consulate which paid the penalty charges and transport expenses.

“They eventually agreed and Indian Consul General Faiz Kidwai sanctioned just under 17,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals ($4,533) to transport Hussain on board a Saudia flight,” Kuttichal said.