145 Indian prisoners win pardons during Ramadan

Dubai: At least 145 Indians imprisoned in Dubai and the northern emirates were pardoned during Ramadan, Indian consular officials disclosed.

"The holy month of Ramadan is a time for reflection and a time for selflessness. Traditionally, the UAE rulers have pardoned some prisoners during this holy month," a consular official said.

An estimated 1.3 million Indians reside in Dubai and the northern emirates.

"As per information available with us, there are 1,001 prisoners in the prisons of Dubai and the northern Emirates. Of these, information collated by us suggests that 145 Indian prisoners have been pardoned during this Ramadan by the Rulers of Dubai and northern Emirates," the official said.

Nature of crimes

Asked about the nature of the crimes committed by those pardoned, the official said that no one among the pardoned prisoners were facing life sentences or murder charges.

According to the Indian Consulate, there are 567 Indian prisoners in the various jails in Dubai, 249 in Sharjah, 95 in Ajman, 52 in Ras Al Khaimah, 25 in Fujairah and 13 in Umm Al Quwain.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan pardoned six Indian prisoners in Sharjah and seven in Fujairah.

As many as 84 prisoners in Dubai, 23 in Sharjah, 12 in Ras Al Khaimah, nine in Ajman and four in Fujairah also won pardons.