'My son didn't do it'

The father of an Indian man who has been sentenced to death along with 16 others in a murder case in Sharjah said his son is not guilty and has been falsely framed.

This is the first time a parent of one of the accused has managed to visit them after they were arrested almost 18 months ago.

Pyare Lal 70, father of Subhan 26, one of the accused, however, denied reports that the accused were tortured or abused by the prison officials.

Speaking to media people in Sharjah, Lal a former teacher, said: “My son categorically told me that he is not involved in the murder. After having lost his job four months after reaching the UAE, he has been doing odd jobs to live in the UAE, but did not murder the Pakistani national.”

According to him, police arrested the men from their camp almost 15 days after the incident.

“They were taken away in the middle of the night ,” he added.

“We are confident that we will get justice by appealing in the higher court of law,” he added.

Lal was accompanied by Mukwinder Kaur, aunt of another accused Harjinder Singh.

According to her, Harjinder was legally employed and had even reported to work when the murder took place. “He worked as a driver,” said Kaur.

“He wanted to work in Europe and was collecting money to pay to arrange a work visa to the UK,” she said.

Denying reports of human rights abuse and torture at the prison, Lal said: “The reports are false. I spoke to my son and others who have been arrested. But none of them said they were either beaten or abused. They all look very healthy.”