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28 March 2024

UAE society comes to rescue of Indian prisoner by raising Dh200,000

Published
By Anjana Sankar

The anguish and uncertainty inside the four walls of the Al Wathba jail in Abu Dhabi is over for Shine Thulasidharan who is all ready to start a new life as a driver in his home town in Kerala, thanks to the generosity of the UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS).

Thulasidharan, who was languishing in Abu Dhabi prison after finishing his term, secured his release last month after the RCS agreed to raise Dh200,000 as the 'diya' amount to relatives of the Pakistani worker in whose murder Thulasidharan got implicated in 2008.

“I am short of words to explain my gratitude to the RCS and also to all the people who helped me come back to my family.

"I want to put my past behind and start a second innings of my life,” Thulasidharan told Emirates 24|7 over the phone from his home in Kerala.

Emirates 24|7 had earlier reported the story in April, highlighting the efforts made by Thulasidharan’s ageing mother to secure the release of her only son.

She had approached the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry and the Indian embassy for the purpose.

Thulasidharan, 32, was sentenced to three years in prison and payment of 'diya' money after he was implicated in the murder of Mohammed Aslam Jalal Khan, following a punch-up between Indians and Pakistanis at a labour camp in Mussaffah. 

Two other accused – Gulam Basheer and Nadir Khan – were also sentenced to six and three months in prison, respectively.

Shine’s prison term was reduced to three years after the deceased’s family agreed to accept the diya amount.

Though Shine had completed four years in Al Wathba jail, his release was indefinitely delayed because of the non-payment of the amount.

Speaking from the cool confines of his house, Thulasidharan said he is happy that his family and friends have accepted him back. “Everyone understands that I was accidently involved in the scuffle and the scene got bad because everyone in the camp was high on alcohol that day.

"Everyone around is very supportive and they are all helping me to start afresh.”

“I was working as a driver in Kerala and I am going to resume the same job driving a tourist bus.

"I just want to support my ageing parents and pay off all my debts,” he added. The family had mortgaged their house and taken loans to obtain a visa for Thulasidharan.

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