Blood money paid, 17 Indians to be freed

Seventeen Indians accused of murdering a Pakistani national in 2009 are set to be released after an Indian businessman deposited “compensation” money in the Sharjah appeals court which will be transferred to the representative of the deceased.

The Sharjah Sharia court had earlier convicted the 17 for murdering Misri Khan, a Pakistani national and awarded them the death penalty. Mr. Khan died, apparently after a brawl connected to the control over illegal liquor business.

According to a press release issued by the Indian consulate in Dubai, S.P.Singh Oberoi, a local businessman on behalf of the Indian community deposited 3.39 million UAE Dirhams, equivalent to Rs. 4 crore as compensation in the case. Simultaneously on receipt of the “blood money,” Mr. Ramadan, representative of the deceased, signed the “Tanazul” (release document) which was then accepted by the Judge Abdullah Al Shamsi.

The Judge has now convened the Sharjah appeals court on September 12, when the judgment over the case will be delivered. The Indian consulate hired a reputed law firm in UAE to defend the accused.