Deal being worked out for Indian's release

The Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) is working out a deal for the release of an Indian national who is serving a jail term in Dubai and must pay Dh150,000 'blood money'.

It will not be long before Seshram, who comes from the state of Rajasthan, to walk free after spending more than two years in jail.

Seshram, who is in his late 30s, was sentenced for killing a Bangladeshi national in a road accident.

K. Kumar, ICWC Convener and Vice-President of the Indian Association Dubai, said: "When the accident took place, it was revealed that Seshram who was driving a pick-up van did not hold a driving licence. He was sentenced to a year in prison and had to pay blood money. Although his jail term was a year, Seshram had to prolong his jail stay for not being able to pay the money.

"We stumbled upon his case during one of our periodical jail visits. After getting all the facts from the police as well as from Seshram, we had to trace the next of kin of the dead Bangladeshi. We were fortunate to come across a relative of the dead Bangladeshi national. Thro-ugh him, we negotiated a deal with the rest of the Bangladeshi family. We reached a settlement of Dh83,000. So far, the ICWC has managed to collect about Dh50,000 and we are waiting for further donations from the community."

If the funds pour in on time, Kumar expects Seshram to be out of jail in a month's time.

The ICWC members, as well as the Indian Consulate, have cultivated an excellent rapport with the jail authorities who have time and again provided the necessary assistance, said Kumar.

"At times, it is the prison authorities who are informing us of cases which are pending," he said.

The ICWC was established under the patronage of the Consulate General of India in Dubai to look after the welfare of Indian citizens in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and in the following categories: destitute housemaids, stranded labourers, persons in detention in Dubai, Northern Emirates and Al Tawelah prisons on grounds other then economic, drug trafficking and political offences, and persons undergoing prolonged treatment in hospitals due to serious ailments and physical disabilities.

The Committee also undertakes other welfare activities. The funds required for such activities are generally raised by the Committee in the Indian Community Welfare Fund.

Those who wish to contribute towards the fund can do so directly by depositing the money to account number 63131-Bank of Baroda, or by dropping the money in the donation box at the Indian Consulate.