An unemployed expatriate mother and her two young children have finally returned to India after a prolonged documentation crisis left them stranded in Bahrain for nearly two years.
Arunima Kuniyil, 36, endured a long and difficult ordeal due to the lack of birth documents for her children – two-year-old Griva Mariyam and one-year-old Zyan Muhammad.
The family finally boarded an Air India flight from Bahrain to Kochi yesterday at 10.30am, thanks to assistance from the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), Bahrain Chapter.
According to details of the case, Ms Kuniyil arrived in Bahrain in 2019 and lost her job in January this year. The family wanted to return back home; however, their plans were delayed because the children’s birth certificates and other required documents could not be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
PLC Bahrain chapter confirmed that the absence of valid marriage documentation, along with other required paperwork from India, compounded the mother’s difficulties.
It is understood that the two children were born out of wedlock in Bahrain, while their father – a former Bahrain resident – remains in India.
The family was unable to regularise their status or complete the necessary formalities needed to return to their home country.
In March this year, Ms Kuniyil approached PLC for assistance, while facing severe financial and humanitarian hardship. Unable to secure employment, she struggled to provide even basic necessities, including food and accommodation for her children.
However, the family received some relief through the compassion of their landlord. Despite the mother being unable to pay the accrued rent for an extended period, the landlord allowed the family to remain in the accommodation until arrangements were made for their departure.
After receiving the case, PLC immediately began co-ordinating with the relevant authorities, institutions and individuals to find a humanitarian solution.
When Zyan was born at Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre, an outstanding hospital bill became a major obstacle to obtaining the documentation required for the child’s registration.
PLC approached the hospital management and explained the family’s humanitarian circumstances, following which a meeting was held. The hospital officials agreed to grant a 70 per cent discount on the outstanding bill, reducing the amount payable from BD597 to about BD180.
PLC panel lawyer Tariq Alown then approached the court and, through sustained legal efforts, secured a favourable verdict, paving the way for the family to complete the documentation procedures for Zyan.
Griva was born in Salmaniya Medical Complex and the necessary hospital documentation, along with birth records, was also secured.
After an ordeal lasting nearly two years, the mother and her children finally returned to India yesterday.
PLC president Sudheer Thirunilath expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to resolving the case and urged members of the expatriate community to ensure their documents are kept up to date to avoid similar situations.
“We once again advise the expatriate community to obtain birth notifications and birth certificates for newborn children during the prescribed period,” said Mr Thirunilath.
“Birth registration should never be postponed. A delay of months, let alone years, can lead to serious legal, immigration and repatriation complications and may ultimately require lengthy procedures, including court intervention,” he added.
“What may appear to be a minor administrative delay today can quickly develop into a major humanitarian crisis tomorrow.
“Passports, residency permits and all other required documentation should also be completed without unnecessary delay.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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