The Kalyan-based family of Chandan Gavai (38) an IT professional based in New York, who was killed along with his parents in a drunk driving accident in the US on July 4, has been running from pillar to post trying to bring the bodies back to India.
Gavai's wife, Manisha, is in a coma with terrible burns and head injuries, while his 11-month-old son, Ibhan, has fractured both his arms.
Swapnil Gavai (34), Chandan's brother, a resident of Kalyan, reached New York in the second week of July and has been desperately approaching all authorities concerned there to let him have the bodies so that he can cremate them.
"Bringing the bodies to India will cost us $20,000 (R13.5 lakh) for each body; we don't have that kind of money. The cost for cremating each body right here is around $6,000 (R4 lakh). We have been going to everyone we can, asking for help.
Also, the authorities here are saying we cannot claim our brother's body, only his wife can do that. We can't just claim our parents' bodies and abandon our brother," said Swapnil, who is a financial consultant and runs a small business in Kalyan.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said that she was personally monitoring the case of an Indian IT professional who was killed along with parents in a road accident in the US earlier this month.
“I am monitoring this case personally and I have all the details,” Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
“The last rites of parents is possible. But US laws do not permit cremation of Chandan as his wife is in coma and unable to give consent,” she said.
Chandan Gavai, 38, and his parents Kamalnayan Gavai, 74, and Archana Gavai, 60, were killed when a pickup truck crashed into their car while they were returning after watching Fourth of July fireworks.
The driver of the pickup truck also died on the spot.
Both vehicles burst into flames immediately after the accident which happened at Yaphank in Suffolk county, New York.
Chandan Gavai's wife Manisha Surwade, 32, sustained life-threatening burn and head injuries while their 11-month-old son sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The family hails from Kalyan in Maharashtra.
Sushma Swaraj said that Indian Consul General in New York Riva Ganguly was in touch with her and she was providing all assistance to the family.
