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Long wait for family to get body of man killed in Rome

T. Ramavarman

Rajan is believed to have been murdered by burglars

THRISSUR: The family of a 45-year-old man from Thrissur, murdered in Italy on August 19, is running from pillar to post to get his mortal remains flown back home.

Tharayil Rajan of Kuriachira, near the city, a karate instructor, was killed while working as security guard in an architect's house in Rome. The architect and his family were away on vacation when the house was burgled. The body of Rajan was found lying in a pool of blood with five stab injuries the day after the incident.

Relatives have informed Rajan's family that the body has been preserved in a freezer in Rome. According to reports, nearly Rs. 4 lakhs is required for bringing the body here and the cash-strapped family did not have the money initially. "But now I understand that the president of the Malayali Association, Sibi Kumaramangalam, and a friend, Pauly Kanamkudan, have jointly mobilised the required amount,'' Rajan's wife, Nisha Rajan, told The Hindu here.

Two months went trying to get Rajan's passport as it was inside the burgled house which was sealed by the police. Now, there are reports that it went missing while being sent from the police station to the Italian foreign office, Rajan's family says.

Ms. Nisha Rajan had approached Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other Ministers seeking their intervention to get her husband's body. Representations were also given to the Union Government. The financial position of the family is fast deteriorating. Rajan was the only earning member of the family. Ms. Nisha Rajan and her three children have now moved to her mother's house as they cannot afford the rent. Ms. Nisha Rajan has given a fresh representation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking his intervention in the issue and requesting financial assistance for the family.

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