Journey Home Denied: A Jharkhand Worker’s UAE Ordeal

A 23-year-old migrant worker from Jharkhand has reportedly been jailed in the UAE for four months after allegedly leaving his job without informing his employer while attempting to return to India for his sister's wedding.

Shashi Kumar Paswan, a resident of Dadra village in Palamu district, travelled to the UAE to work for a private company. His family has now appealed to the Indian government for assistance in securing his release and safe return.

Lalan Paswan, Shashi Kumar Paswan’s father and a resident of Dadra village, submitted an application at Hussainabad police station on Monday, urging the Palamu district administration to facilitate his son’s return to India, Superintendent of Police Kapil Choudhary told PTI.

The Failed Journey Home 

Shashi had planned to return to Jharkhand for his sister's wedding, scheduled for June 26. His father alleged that Shashi paid an agent to arrange his journey home but became entangled in a legal case instead.

"My son went to Dubai in 2025 to work in a private company on contract. The family had fixed his sister's wedding for June 26, and Shashi wanted to attend it. He paid an agent to return home, but was trapped," the aggrieved father said. 

"Shashi is in jail for allegedly contacting the agent, giving him money to return home and leaving his job without properly informing the company. He was absent from work for seven consecutive days," a police officer said.

The circumstances of his detention remain unclear, including the precise charges, if any, filed against him in the UAE.

Lalan Paswan said his son has been lodged in a jail in Dubai's Al Rashidiya area for approximately four months.

Family Appeals for Repatriation 

The family initially delayed approaching authorities because Shashi had assured them that he would soon be released.

"Shashi assured us that he will come out of the jail soon. Based on his assurance, the family waited for over four months before reporting the matter. I urge the administration and the Government of India to take necessary action and bring my son back,"Lalan said. 

He urged the district administration and the Government of India to take the necessary steps to bring his son home.

Shashi's wife, Sumitra, also appealed to the authorities for assistance."My husband was hired by a private company in Abu Dhabi on a contract basis. He has been trapped by the agent and has been in jail for the past four months. I urge the authorities to provide him legal help and bring him home," she said.

Family Seeks Government Intervention 

Palamu Superintendent of Police Kapil Choudhary confirmed that the family's application had been forwarded to higher authorities. No official update on diplomatic intervention or Shashi's release has been reported.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has previously warned workers about unauthorised agents offering assistance with exit permits, visa regularisation and other immigration procedures.

His family continues to seek legal assistance to secure his release and return to Jharkhand.