Udupi: The family of Hazel Josna Mathais, who died under mysterious circumstances in Saudi Arabi on July 19, in their quest for justice, have approached Human Rights Protection Foundation President, Dr Ravindranath Shanbaug as he was appointed to be their nodal officer by the Udupi deputy commissioner. He is to provide them with legal advice and guidance.On Saturday, October 13, Dr Shanbaug called for a press conference at Vaikunta Baliga College of Law, Udupi, along with Hazel’s parents Robert Quadros and Helen Quadros, brother Ryan Quadros and husband Ashwin Mathias, where he said, The Office of Consulate General of India has shown half-hearted efforts in the case by not sending the important documents. Three months after Hazel’s death, her family is still not sure if her death was a suicide or not. They are not even in a position to decide whether they should fight for justice or not.”
“The Office of Consulate General of India has sent a doctor’s report claiming that it was suicide and a report from the police supporting the same claim, along with the mortal remains,” he said, adding that no other documents were found.
He then informed that a letter has been written to Consular General of India, Sanjay Kumar Sharma, seeking suitable documents. He also requested the external affairs ministry to help in this regard. He then claimed that Sanjay Kumar Sharma had received documents from the Saudi Arabian embassy in relation to Hazel’s death, but these were not given to her parents. He added that a “suspicious report” that Hazel might have been strangled or hanged to death was issued by Dr Bandar Saleh Al Jahrani and the Saudi police.
He also informed that a request has been made to the Consular General of India for Hazel’s personal diary, suicide note, employment letter and her signed employment agreement, insurance details, charge sheet, post-mortem report, inquest report and details about the case.
Dr Shanbaug cautioned that a petition requesting a second post-mortem of the body would be submitted to the court if the necessary details are not received within a week and if the parents are not satisfied with what is sent. He also assured legal assistance to the parents in the event that they would require a second post-mortem.
Addressing the reporters, Hazel’s father Robert Quadros denied that his daughter would take such a drastic step and demanded that they be given the required documents. He then said that they would forgo the case if they are satisfied with the information provided to them.
