Family of Jalan Masjid India Sinkhole Victim Moves Forward With Compensation Claim
Death Certificate Enables Legal Process Following 2024 Tragedy
KLANG — The family of the Indian national who died in the 2024 Jalan Masjid India sinkhole tragedy is now preparing to pursue compensation claims after officially receiving her death certificate from Malaysian authorities.
The document was handed over by the National Registration Department in Putrajaya to Surya Madhaiha, 28, daughter of the late G. Vijaya Lakshmi, who disappeared after falling into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur nearly two years ago.
Family lawyer M. Partiben said the issuance of the certificate allows the legal team to shift its full attention toward compensation negotiations and legal proceedings involving the relevant authorities.
According to him, the family has endured prolonged emotional distress and financial hardship while remaining in Malaysia to manage matters related to the tragedy.
“We hope the authorities will expedite the compensation process to help reduce the financial burden faced by the family,” he said during a press conference in Klang.
Partiben added that meetings are expected to be arranged soon with representatives linked to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, as well as Kuala Lumpur Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
The discussions are expected to focus on determining an appropriate compensation package based on the losses and suffering experienced by the victim’s family.
According to the lawyer, the compensation claim will include bereavement damages, funeral expenses, special damages and exemplary damages connected to alleged negligence in infrastructure maintenance.
Partiben claimed the tragedy may have been linked to underground utility issues and geological conditions that involved maintenance shortcomings by local authorities.
He also suggested that the government consider a previous Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court ruling involving a fatal falling tree incident near the Selayang Market in 2023.
In that case, Kuala Lumpur City Hall was ordered to pay more than RM824,000 in damages after the court found negligence related to maintenance responsibilities.
“The sinkhole case also involves infrastructure safety and maintenance concerns, so we hope a fair assessment can be made,” he said.
Meanwhile, another lawyer representing the family, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi, said the death certificate has brought some relief to the victim’s relatives, who continue facing financial pressure.
He explained that the deceased had been the family’s primary breadwinner and the document was urgently needed to settle financial matters in India.
According to him, the certificate is necessary to resolve outstanding bank debts and prevent further action against the family.
The victim, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, from Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh, India, was reported missing on August 23, 2024 after falling into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur.
A large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies continued for nine days before it was eventually called off due to safety risks faced by rescue teams.
The tragedy drew nationwide attention and sparked wider concerns over urban infrastructure safety, underground utility management and maintenance standards in the capital city.
-wilayah.com.my
