Deceased businessman’s family flies to India

dubai — Deceased Indian businessman Joy Arakkal’s family members have become the first passengers to land in India amid the nation-wide Covid-19 lockdown which only ends on May 3.

Community leaders and social workers working closely with the family confirmed that Arakkal’s mortal remains, which was accompanied by his wife Celine and children Arun and Ashley, took off from Dubai at 3.45pm on Thursday. The chartered flight landed in Kozhikode, India on Thursday night.

Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul confirmed that the family acquired a clearance letter from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Wednesday night. “The family had received a NOC from Ministry of Home Affairs, Government

of India, earlier,” said Vipul.

Arakkal’s body was repatriated on a chartered flight and was accompanied by four members of his family. “They landed in Kozhikode, Kerala. His funeral will be held today at 7am at the St Joseph’s Cathedral Church in Kaniyaram, Mananthavady, Wayanad district,” said UAE-based legal advisor advocate Hashik.

The funeral will be held as per WHO Covid-19 protocols and will only be attended by his close family members, said Joy’s brother Johny in a written statement.

Arakkal, the owner and founder Dubai-based Innova Refining and Trading FZE, passed away on Thursday. After several days of speculation, Brigadier Abdullah Khadim Bin Sorour, Director of Bur Dubai police station, confirmed to Khaleej Times that Arakkal had committed suicide.