The body of Indian national Gautam Mistry, 55, who passed away on the Bangladesh side of the Benapole checkpost last Wednesday, has been handed over after obtaining clearance from the Indian High Commission.

The body was handed over through Benapole checkpost around 11am on Friday, after completion of immigration formalities.

Gautam was a resident of Kalyannagar Suraiya Sen Palli in Kolkata and son of Ramani Mistry.

He had come to Bangladesh about two weeks ago to visit his in-laws in Barishal. On Wednesday, he suffered a stroke while returning to India through Benapole.

His wife, Jahanara Mistry, said Gautam fell ill shortly after getting down from their vehicle at Benapole. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

She said they could not take the body to India immediately because the death occurred in Bangladesh and various documents were required.

After obtaining a death certificate from the hospital, a general diary (GD) from the local police station and clearance from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, she was able to take her husband’s body back to India on Friday.

Jahanara expressed gratitude to people in Bangladesh for helping her financially and providing other assistance during the ordeal.

Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the body of the Indian citizen, who died of a stroke on Wednesday, was handed over through the checkpost around 11am after the required embassy clearance was obtained.

Gautam’s wife later left for India with the body, he added.