Dubai release five men accused in 2005 murder case
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Released men reuniting with family at Hyderabad airport / Khaleej Times
Dubai: Five men accused in the murder of a Nepalese security guard in 2005 are released from Dubai jail. The accused men - Shivarathri Mallesh, Shivarathri Ravi, Gollem Nampally, Dundugula Laxman, and Shivarathri Hanmanthu - from Telangana, India, were convicted and sent to prison for 25 years.
After a joint attempt by the Indian Consulate and the government of Telangana, all five of them were released and joyfully reunited with their families after landing at Hyderabad airport on February 20. The emotional reunion marked the end of a lengthy legal battle that lasted 18 years.
The five men, originally hailing from the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana, worked as construction labourers in Dubai and resided at the Sonapur Labour Camp.
SV Reddy, convenor of the Telangana Gulf NRI cell, shared insights into the case, stating that in 2005, an altercation between the five men and a Nepalese security guard turned fatal. Reddy said, "In a fit of rage, the incident resulted in the unfortunate death of the guard. They did not have any wrong intentions, and (the death) must have been accidental."
The punishment was increased to 25 years in prison, from the initial sentence of 10 years, after an appeal from the family. SV Reddy detailed the process leading to their early release, mentioning the involvement of social groups, the Indian Consulate and the government of Telangana.
The possibility of their release hinged on the victim's family seeking forgiveness. The security guard - Bahadur Singh’s family from Nepal signed the amnesty with legal assistance, paving the way for the men's release.
" A minister from the Telangana government personally visited the family of the deceased security guard, requesting a 'No Objection Certificate' for the release of the five men. The minister then travelled to Dubai, appealing to the local authorities", said SV Reddy.
Even though the initial amnesty petition was rejected by the Dubai court, in September 2023, the case was reviewed and with the support of the Union Ministry of External Affairs, the petition was approved.
The emotional homecoming at Hyderabad airport marked the end of a challenging chapter for the five men and their families, highlighting the significance of diplomatic efforts and forgiveness in facilitating their release.
Source: Khaleej Times