UNION MINISTER for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj Saturday assured help to a Kalyan-based family which has been unable to bring back or cremate bodies of its three members killed in a road accident in Long Island in the US on July 4. Swaraj said she was in touch with the Indian Consulate General in New York, which was providing all assistance to the family. IT professional Chandan Gavai, 38) and his parents — Archana Gavai (60) and Kamalnayan Gavai (74) — died when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit head-on by a truck on July 4. The family was returning after watching independence day celebrations when they were allegedly run over by a drunk driver. [related-post] Watch Video: What's making news “I am monitoring this case personally and I have all the details. 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. CG New York is in regular touch with me. She is providing all assistance to the family,” Swaraj said in a series of tweets. Mitesh Madhavi, a family friend, had initially tweeted to Swaraj on Friday seeking her intervention in the matter. “She had responded to my tweet saying she will personally look into the matter,” said Mitesh. He, however, was not aware about Swaraj’s latest tweets. “All through the day I was busy collecting donations to help the family. We need Rs 24 lakh and we have managed to collect Rs 10 lakh. I have set up an account on crowdfunding platform ketto — — as well to get financial assistance,” said Mitesh. He added he was in touch with Chandan’s brothers in the US. “I spoke to them a while ago. They said while the US government had allowed for their parents to be cremated, they are not allowing them to cremate Chandan. They are allowing for Chandan’s burial, not cremation. They said once Chandan’s wife, who is recuperating, regains consciousness, they could with her permission allow Chandan to be cremated then.” In one of her tweets, Swaraj too said, “Burial only till his wife Manisha recovers from coma. Once she gives consent, Chandan will also be cremated.” Chandan’s 32-year-old wife suffered life-threatening burns and head injuries while the couple’s 11-month-old son survived the crash and is under treatment.
