Dubai resident who petitioned India’s highest court to repatriate pregnant wife dies in sleep

Nithin Chandran had stayed in Dubai to help others after sending his wife home on India’s first repatriation flight

Nithin Chandin is believed to have died due to heart complications. Courtesy: Bibin Jacob

A Dubai resident, who petitioned India's supreme court to fly out his pregnant wife, has died in his sleep.

Nithin Chandran, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer, is believed to have died due to heart complications, a month after he sent his wife home, said his close friends and relatives.

Known as a “champion of the people,” Chandran had filed for early repatriation from the UAE amid the coronavirus pandemic.

His wife, Athira Geetha Sreedharan, 27, was among the passengers on the first Vande Bharat Mission flight from Dubai to Kozhikode in the state of Kerala, after her husband had petitioned on her behalf.

Chandran had the opportunity to be on the same flight but decided to stay and help fellow Indians who were struggling to get flights home during the coronavirus crisis.

His close friend, Bibin Jacob told The National that he was known in the Indian community in Dubai for helping others.

“He was a champion of the people and always there for anyone who needed his help,” said Mr Jacob.

“He could have flown back to India but decided to stay here and help others organise their flights home.

“He also said there were people who needed a seat on the flight more urgently than he did. He never put himself first and was always thinking of others.”

Chandran was involved in food and blood donation programmes.

“He lobbied the central government of India on behalf of many people here in Dubai who wanted to get home to their families,” said Mr Jacob.

“He never had a problem helping those who needed it and will be remembered for the good work he did on behalf of others.”