3 min readRanchiOct 31, 2025 07:03 PM IST
First published on: Oct 31, 2025 at 02:23 PM IST
A man from Jharkhand’s Giridih district was shot dead in Saudi Arabia earlier this month after being caught in a crossfire between local police and criminals involved in the illegal liquor trade, officials and family members said.
Vijay Kumar Mahato (27), a resident of Dudhapania village under Dumri block, was working with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in Saudi Arabia. According to his family, he went there about a year ago to work on transmission line projects.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Mahato’s brother-in-law Ram Prasad Mahato said the incident occurred on October 15 when Vijay was walking near his worksite and got caught in a gunfire between the police and local extortionists operating around the area.
“Vijay was nearby when the firing began. The bullet hit him by mistake,” Ram Prasad said.
He said that Vijay was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to injuries, and the family received the news of his death on October 24.
“Before dying, he even sent a voice note in the Kortha language to his wife, saying he had been hit by a bullet meant for someone else and was pleading for help,” Ram Prasad said.
Vijay is survived by his wife, two young sons aged 5 and 3, and his parents.
The Head of the State Migrant Control Cell under the Jharkhand Labour Department, Shikha Lakra, said they received a complaint regarding the incident from Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato, and the process to bring back his body started today. “The department referred the matter to the Protector of Emigrants (Ranchi) and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for an investigation and repatriation of the mortal remains,” she said.
According to the official information from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to the Jharkhand government, the incident took place in the Jeddah region, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah. The CGI said the death is being treated as suspicious, and Mahato’s body remains in the custody of the Public Prosecution Office in Jumum, Makkah, until investigations are completed and a Police Clearance Certificate is issued.
Shikha said that the government is in touch with Saudi authorities and the employer.
Family members said they will not proceed with formalities to bring back the body until the company agrees to pay the compensation. “The company must be held responsible. We will not receive the body until we get written assurance of compensation,” Ram Prasad said.
The project manager and site manager of the company were unavailable for comment.
Vijay Kumar Mahato (27), a resident of Dudhapania village under Dumri block 
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