A migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district was fatally caught in a crossfire between Saudi police and an extortion gang earlier this month, leaving his family in grief and shock. In a heartbreaking last message, he informed his wife that the bullet had been intended for someone else.

The victim, Vijay Kumar Mahato, 32, was a resident of Dudhapania village under Dumri block and employed with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that on October 15, Vijay had gone to collect materials at his worksite following instructions from a senior company official. During this time, police launched an operation against a local extortion gang involved in the illegal liquor trade, and Vijay was accidentally hit in the crossfire.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Vijay’s brother-in-law Ram Prasad Mahato said, “Vijay was nearby when the firing began. The bullet hit him by mistake.” Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Vijay succumbed to his injuries. The family was informed of his death on October 24.

Before his passing, Vijay sent a poignant voice note in the Kortha language to his wife, explaining that he had been hit by a bullet meant for someone else and pleading for help, according to Ram Prasad. Vijay leaves behind his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and his parents.

MLA Calls for Probe and Repatriation

Following the incident, Dumri MLA Jayaram Kumar Mahato wrote to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, urging a thorough and transparent investigation and requesting that arrangements be made to repatriate Vijay’s body as soon as possible. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh informed the Jharkhand government that the incident occurred in the Jeddah region, under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah.

The CGI has described Vijay’s death as “suspicious,” stating that his body remains in the custody of the Public Prosecution Office in Jumum, Makkah, until investigations conclude and a Police Clearance Certificate is issued.

However, the family has expressed that they will not initiate the repatriation process until the company provides compensation. Ram Prasad emphasized, “We will not receive the body until we get a written assurance of compensation. The company must be held accountable.”

This tragic incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers abroad and has prompted calls for greater accountability from both local authorities and employers.